What Matters Most
musings on the mundane and magnificent from a Christian perspective
Lord, I give You:
- the amount of time I have today,
- the amount of things I have to do,
- and the amount of energy in my body.
Somehow, I’m not sure the math checks out, but I choose to trust You anyway. I choose to remember what You promised in Your Word:
“We have this treasure in jars of clay to show that this all-surpassing power is from God and not from us.”
2 Corinthians 4:7 NIV
I have an all-surpassing power in me. It surpasses weariness, temptation, struggles, limitations. It surpasses everything that would hinder me as I live in pursuit of God and His purposes for me.
This is a power nothing can diminish – not a global pandemic, not the actions and opinions of others, not my own faults and failings, not regrets of the past or unknowns in the future, not the circumstances I’m unable to change.
Certainly, nothing and no one can conquer the power of God at work in the lives of those who love Him. Nothing and no one. Because the source of the power is indisputable, all-knowing, ever present. And because He will never change, that power will always be available.
All we must do is tap in to it.
At the intersection of my human limitation and His supernatural ability, where my finite understanding meets His all-knowing, at the crossroad of seen and unseen is a choice. The choice to dwell on how I feel and what I see or to tap into the ever-flowing stream of God’s wisdom and strength.
So, I can be overwhelmed by my emotions or overflowing with His grace. I can let my circumstances define my mood, or I can process my circumstances and emotions in Him. I can remain depleted or come to Him to be refreshed.
The choice is entirely up to me.
So yes, the number of things on my to-do list may be more than the amount of time I have today. The amount of energy in my body may be nowhere close to what I wish it was. But I’m thankful for how God’s math checks out. He multiples grace and strength in us. His well of resources never runs dry. The daily stress of life, the major moments and the minutiae cannot subtract from the all-surpassing power in us.
“So we do not lose heart. Though our outer self is wasting away, our inner self is being renewed day by day.”
2 Corinthians 4:16 ESV
Lord, I give You everything I would do differently if I could do it all over again, and I give You the fact that I can’t. I can’t do it all over again. So, I give You what is, what isn’t, and what will never be. I give You what is to come. Thank You that hope is a reality not limited by my circumstances or deterred by my choices. The hope I have in You is an anchor for my soul – sure, firm, immovable. (Hebrews 6:19)
So, I choose to move forward in hope. I choose to live for You, not an ideal set of circumstances. I choose You. And I’ll choose you again and again.
“My choice is you, God, first and only…. Now you’ve got my feet on the life path, all radiant from the shining of your face. Ever since you took my hand, I’m on the right way.” Psalm 16:5, 11 MSG
You are my hope. Thank you for the resolute, renewing, life-giving hope that is only found in You. May I overflow with hope.
“May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace as you trust in him, so that you may overflow with hope by the power of the Holy Spirit.”
Romans 15:13 NIV
Lord, I thank You that the overwhelming imperfection of my circumstances can never mar the perfection of who You are. You are perfect, and I cling to You in the midst of this imperfect mess. My constant prayer is one of reliance on You.
I give my less-than-perfect situation to the One who is greater than everything. I give it all to You….
- the things I can control and the things I can’t
- what I wish was different and what will never change
- what is required of me now and what comes next
I give You all of me. I thank You that the giving over of an imperfect person to a perfect, holy God is a good thing, a freeing thing. It’s what You want. You want all of me – the mess and the mistakes, the successes and the sin, the goals, the gifts from You, the need for grace.
So, here I am, Lord. Things aren’t always perfect. I’m not perfect. But You always are. And that is what I cling to in the midst of everything else.
“My soul clings to you; your right hand upholds me.”
Psalm 63:8 NIV
I love You, Lord. You are what matters most.
I thank You that You’re Lord of all. You’re Lord of what is and what isn’t. You’re Lord of my present reality and the choices that led me here. And You’re Lord of the choices that could have gone in a different direction. On the other side of every fork in the road I face, You are there – no matter which direction I choose.
You are Lord over yesterday – over regret, disappointment, pain.
You are Lord over today – over responsibilities, pressures, circumstances.
You are Lord over tomorrow – over choices, goals, possibilities.
So, I give You all of me:
- what is
- what isn’t
- what is to come
- what will never be.
What matters most is You.
“Whom have I in heaven but you? And earth has nothing I desire besides you.” Psalm 73:25 NIV
“But as for me, God’s presence is all I need.” Psalm 73:28 NET