gladitudes

I just took a read of this over at the Gospel Coalition Blog. It’s pretty good stuff:
The “Why” Question and God’s Providence

I had a good conversation with a dear friend of mine last night about God and His interest in our hearts over the outside appearances that we put on. I read this today and really loved the image it gives.

Matthew 21:28-32 (NLT)

“But what do you think about this? A man with two sons told the older boy, ‘Son, go out and work in the vineyard today.’ ²⁹The son answered, ‘No, I won’t go,’ but later he changed his mind and went anyway. ³⁰Then the father told the other son, ‘You go,’ and he said, ‘Yes, sir, I will.’ But he didn’t go.

³¹“Which of the two obeyed his father?”

They replied, “The first.”

Then Jesus explained his meaning: “I tell you the truth, corrupt tax collectors and prostitutes will get into the Kingdom of God before you do. ³²For John the Baptist came and showed you the right way to live, but you didn’t believe him, while tax collectors and prostitutes did. And even when you saw this happening, you refused to believe him and repent of your sins.”

This parable makes it really clear: What counts before God isn’t the neat, tidy lives that we try to portray. The thing that counts is a heart that is humble and repentant before God. Jesus affirms the hearts of prostitutes and thieves here over the hearts of religious people whose lives look stellar.

This is convicting to me on a personal level because I know that oftentimes, my energy and my efforts are spent more on making my outside appearance good, than on having a humble and right heart before my God. It makes me think..

Be blessed today…

I read this verse this morning and want to share it.

Matthew 16:24-28 (NLT)

Then Jesus said to his disciples, “If any of you wants to be my follower, you must turn from your selfish ways, take up your cross, and follow me. ²⁵ If you try to hang on to your life you will lose it. But if you give up your life for my sake, you will save it. ²⁶ And what do you benefit if you gain the whole world but lose your own soul? Is anything worth more than your soul? ²⁷ For the Son of Man will come with his angels in the glory of his Father and will judge all people according to their deeds. 28 And I tell you the truth, some standing here right now will not die before they see the Son of Man coming in his Kingdom.”

Pretty straight forward: only one things is worth my life, and it is following Jesus.

Matthew 13:44 (ESV)

“The kingdom of heaven is like treasure hidden in a field, which a man found and covered up. Then in his joy he goes and sells all that he has and buys that field.”

Matthew 13:45-46 (ESV)

“Again, the kingdom of heaven is like a merchant in search of fine pearls, who, on finding one pearl of great value, went and sold all that he had and bought it.”

Matthew 6:33 (NLT)

“Seek the Kingdom of God above all else, and live righteously, and he will give you everything you need.”

I’ve been thinking a lot about these three verses this weekend. There’s a lot of good in my life. God has blessed me with a great job, an amazing family, the best friends I could imagine, and much more. But, in the midst of all this blessing, I’ve found restlessness stirring up in my soul—a dissatisfaction with my life and where I am in it. As I’ve tried to work through it and figure out why; I’ve come to some conclusions. Read more