Lost in things, found in Christ.
What consumes your time, thoughts, energy and money?
An honest appraisal would probably reveal that these are typically lost in things. We pursue these things usually to obtain some sense of joy and happiness; to supply ourselves with a sense of satisfaction over our achievements. For some, they seek acclaim – to be famous and a celebrity would bring them great happiness! For others, their sense of greatness is in their academic record. Still others, it is all about attractiveness, athleticism, and the accumulation of acquaintances or affluence. Many of these things are added to our lives in the false hope of accentuating our claim to glory – in other words: “I’m O.K in life and better than you because I have ___________.”
The reality of this pursuit is that instead of finding what we hope for, we become lost in these things. Things that have no value and are ultimately worthless. The apostle Paul actually puts it this way when he writes in Philippians Chapter 3: “what things were gain to me, these I have counted loss for Christ. Yet indeed I also count all things loss for the excellence of the knowledge of Christ Jesus my Lord, for whom I have suffered the loss of all things, and count them as dung, that I may gain Christ” (verse 7-8). What are these things that Paul is referring to? In the previous verses of this chapter he outlines a list very similar to the one above of all that he trusted in before he came to know Christ. In fact, what he says is that all of those things he pursued and that we pursue are, at best, as worthless as manure! This puts a different perspective on it doesn’t it? Imagine the folly of taking joy in manure!
Instead, Paul says we are to be found in Christ and not lost in things. He writes in verse 9 of the same chapter: “be found in Him, not having my own righteousness, which [is] from the law, but that which [is] through faith in Christ, the righteousness which is from God by faith.”
This is an extremely important point of application for us in the consumerist society in which we live. Let’s not get lost in things, but rather be found in Christ – for in His presence is fullness of joy (Ps 16:11). What things have you lost your joy in? What things have caused you to lose your love for Jesus? Is it worth pursuing dung instead of our relationship with Jesus Christ? Hardly. May it be true of us as the words of the hymn: nothing in my hand I bring, simply to the cross I cling. – Pastor Israel…..