By Bill Fix
I plan to use this column/blog as a way to highlight the importance of spiritual matters, perhaps contrasted against current events or the daily struggles we encounter in life. “If then you were raised with Christ, seek those things which are above, where Christ is, sitting at the right hand of God. Set your mind on things above, not on things on the earth” (Col. 3:1-2).
While I thankfully can’t remember having any personal unfortunate interactions with chiggers, I have had my share of mosquito bites, sunburns, and allergy attacks that made it difficult to focus on whatever important task was in front of me. Or at work, it’s often a challenge to complete assignments when calls or emails interrupt my concentration and time.
Similar to these irritating annoyances, Satan (or our own weaknesses) seems to work on us little by little until we fail. How often have you…
- Unfairly snapped at your kid who sang the same single line of a song for the 57th time?
- Taken your spouse, family members, or friends for granted because you were too focused on your own worries/problems?
- Ignored someone who could have used your help or encouragement?
- Heard a friend, coworker, or actor use foul language or the Lord’s name in vain so often that the same words slip out of your mouth?
- Yelled at some “idiot” or “maniac” while driving? [Regardless of whether the other driver heard you or “deserved it”, did you set a good example for your kids or exhibit anger with a brother “without a cause” (Mt. 5:22)?]
- Got too busy with work, hobbies, recreation, etc. that you forgot to pray or open your Bible to adequately maintain your relationship with God for the day?
In the United States, I don’t believe we’ll ever see the old hypothetical actually play out where someone holds a gun to our heads, threatening to kill us unless we renounce God. That’s a BIG thing. But the little things can build and build to where they erode our faith, patience, and diligence to study, pray, and teach others. We can get so preoccupied with everything else in this world that we misplace our priorities. Let’s keep the little things in check so we don’t lose sight of the biggest things.