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"For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also."
(Matthew 6:21)
When I first started seriously writing with the hope of being published, I was working a more-than-full-time day job, so I knew that it would take effort to fit writing into my schedule. I set a goal of writing 1,000 words per day, which took about an hour. I kept a physical calendar on my wall, and for every day I reached that goal, I marked the calendar with a big X. That let me track my progress—and it was very motivating, because I didn't want to see too many blank squares!
If you looked at my life calendar over the years, the time I've spent on writing would reflect how important it is to me and the goal I was working toward. The same could be said about the money I've spent on writing conferences and writing books, or the mental energy I've expended, or even the things I talk about. I get excited to talk about books!
When so many other things in life demand attention, it's not always easy to keep spending time and energy on certain things. But if something is important to us, we always make the time.
Do you never go a day without your morning coffee? You wouldn't dream of missing a Saturday or Sunday watching your favorite football team play? You make sure to be at every baseball game or dance recital your child or grandchild is in? You decided those were important to you, so you make sure they happen.
This is even more crucial in our relationship with God. If our goal is pleasing Him, obeying Him, letting Him make us more like Christ, then are we making time for the things that help us reach those goals? Does our life show that we value Him above all else? Would our calendar have lots of X-es for days we had a quiet time, or would it instead have lots of blank boxes? Would our schedules show we prioritized serving in the church or going on mission trips? Would our finances show we were generous with tithes, offerings, and helping those in need? Would our conversations frequently center around Christ?
Matthew 6:19-21 says, "Do not store up for yourselves treasures on earth, where moths and vermin destroy, and where thieves break in and steal. But store up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where moths and vermin do not destroy, and where thieves do not break in and steal. For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also."
Treasure can be more than money. It can also be time or energy. How we spend these reveals where our treasure is. And often shifting these things first can lead our heart to follow. Start to spend more of your time with God, use your energy to advance His kingdom, be generous with your money, and very likely, you will soon come to value Him more.
If we believe God called us to a relationship with Him, and if we value that relationship, we make it happen. How do your bank account, your calendar, and your conversations show what you value? If someone were to look at those, what conclusion would they draw about what matters most to you?
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