My father has dedicated the majority of this year in preaching messages that focus on Godly leadership. Quality leadership is in a great deficit in our generation, as many have attempted to recreate their own definition of how to live apart from a biblical perspective. In a recent sermon, my father spoke on the importance of living a legacy that is based upon truth, for it is by truth that we hold each other to a higher standard. One particular scripture that is referenced is Matthew 16:26 that says: "For what profit is it to a man if he gains the whole world, and loses his soul? Or what will a man give in exchange for his soul? "
I've heard this passage of scripture quoted many times as an admonishment to solely focusing on materialistic things, yet the highlighted portion of this verse demanded my attention. Jesus establishes in John 14:6 that He represents the only access point to a heavenly destination with God, yet it becomes such a struggle to keep Him as priority in our lives. As I spend time in reflection during this holiday season, I often wonder what aspects of my life have limited me from spending that extra time in prayer. I have to take a quick inventory of my life and determine what idols do I run to in exchange for intimate time with the Creator of the Universe.
I remember facing an undue amount of anxiety in my early twenties, as I pressed hard to excel in college and navigate the spectrum of social norms that come with the territory. In my quest to acclimate with the culture, I found that my sampling size started to expand in my taste of music. I was raised on Praise & Worship music and I spent a significant amount of time rehearsing these types of songs for our church services. At that time, a person collected their music on CD's: I prided myself on the fact that I didn't own one CD that could be classified as secular. As music downloading platforms became more popular, I started to develop a curiosity for uncharted music genres in my life. Within a matter of time, I had incorporated a playlist of secular music that was comprised of alluring and sensual lyrics. In the course of a frustrating day, I would lock my bedroom door and escape behind the soundwaves of music that didn't glorify God. In fact, this carnal lineup of music started to replace my desire to incorporate worship in my daily routine.
When you accept Jesus Christ as your Lord and Savior, you are granted with the gift of the Holy Spirit. I'm so thankful that the Holy Spirit serves as God's Judicial Branch to weigh the evidence of what our lives represent. There were moments when I could actually feel the presence of the Holy Spirit pounding at my heart's door when I was immersed in listening to songs laced with profanity and vulgarity. It's as if I would hear an audible voice saying Matthew, does the content of this message reflect the heart of your Heavenly Father? The carnal nature of this music was intensifying my anxiety level and adding more confusion in my life. I was exchanging the peace that passes all understanding for the spirit of the world. The most important thing for us to determine in this crucial time is the authenticity of our devotion to God Almighty. Do you seek His will when you are searching for an answer, or do you place your trust in mankind? Do you have a prayer centered life, or do you frequently escape to your own personal dungeon filled with streams of idolatry? The presence of God isn't limited by our lack of understanding. Jesus Christ stands ready to invade the atmosphere of your life, but you have to allow him to have direct access. When we allow Christ to have precedence, he helps us filter out the toxins from our life's distractions and infuses us with spiritual wisdom to sustain us until the Day of Eternity.
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