by Joyce Meyers
Years ago, I got to a place in my life where things were going pretty well. Dave and I had a good marriage, we were doing alright financially, our kids were saved, and our ministry was growing. Yet I still had this vague feeling of discontentment. Something was just not right on the inside.
Have you ever felt that way? Maybe you’ve wondered, “What’s wrong with me?” like I did. Well, when I asked God that question, His answer to me was, “Joyce, you’re shallow. It’s time to step out into the deep.”
I’m just telling you the truth: Bible teacher Joyce Meyers was a shallow Christian. Although I wanted all the “fruit” of God’s Spirit—love, joy, peace, patience—operating in my life, I wasn’t seeking it. So spiritually speaking, I wasn’t a very deep person. I had my priorities backwards as many of us do at times.
We want the money, the house, the promotion, or whatever that thing is. So we pursue that rather than the true treasure of God’s presence.
But just like a tree needs deep, wide-reaching roots in order to support big, strong branches that can withstand the harsh elements of the outdoors, Christians need to be deeply rooted and grounded in the Word of God. It’s His love that sustains us—not our “stuff.”
Don’t get me wrong. It’s okay to want nice things. But there’s a difference between desiring them and seeking them—and that’s something we’d be wise to focus on each day of our lives.
What are you seeking in life?
The word “seek” is an extremely strong word. It means “to crave, to pursue, to make sacrifices to get or to go after something with all of your strength and all of your heart.” There are only a handful of things the Bible actually tells us to seek, including God Himself, the kingdom of God, righteousness, peace, and love. Never once does it say we should pursue temporary, earthly things.
Every now and then, I think it’s a good idea to do a little soul searching and ask yourself, “What am I seeking?” In other words, what do you spend most of your time doing? What do you talk about the most? What are you putting most of your energy into?
If you realize that you’ve been chasing things rather than God Himself, I encourage you to visualize your final hours. I know it’s not particularly pleasant to imagine, but if we just think realistically about what that day would look like, it might help us change the way we spend today.
How will putting God first change your day?
If you have a strong inner life—that is, you know who you are in Christ and you know that you’re right with God—then what goes on around you doesn’t have to matter all that much. In fact, it’s amazing what you can go through with a smile on your face! You can be hurting pretty badly yourself and yet have a deep desire to help other people.
That’s when we know we’re mature sons and daughters of God—when our life isn’t wrapped up in what we want, what we think, and how we feel. Instead, we’re wrapped up in what God has done in our lives and how we can help grow His kingdom while we’re still here on this earth.
You and I can still have a lot of “stuff,” but there’s nothing more valuable in this life than knowing God loves us and that we’re right with Him. I believe that during our final hours, that’s what we’ll find to be truly important.
Matthew 6:33 says, “But seek (aim at and strive after) first of all His kingdom and His righteousness (His way of doing and being right), and then all these things taken together will be given you besides.”
When you chase after God and make Him your first priority, then you’ll really get to know Him and He’ll give you the things that are right for you at the right time and in the right way.
I’ve been a shallow person and I know what it’s like to need something deeper. I want to encourage you to really chase after God. Live each day of your life pursuing what really matters. Don’t spend your whole life in the shallow waters wrapped up in what you want, think, and feel. Let Him be first in your life—and you’ll soon discover it’s the most amazing way to live!
www.joycemeyer.org