Many years ago, whenever Jo and I would visit her parents/family, we would play a game called Trivial Pursuit. As you moved your disc-like piece sectioned off like a pie, you filled it with different colored tiles as you answered trivial questions from different categories. It was aptly titled: Trivial Pursuit. The questions in each category were random and often very, very trivial, unless, of course, you got a specialized game like the music of the ’60s or ’70s (I was good at both of those).
I thought of that game as I read Proverbs 21:21- “Whoever pursues righteousness and kindness will find life, righteousness, and honor.” (ESV)
We pursue many things, most of them trivial. I knew a guy whose pursuit was to be financially independent by 30. I’m not sure if he ever made it or not; I lost track of him. Others pursued being married and having a gaggle of kids. I used to hear that a lot. We all know people who pursue fame and fortune. From simple, everyday people to Hollywood stars who seem to have it all.
And yet, I just read the other day of some actors who pulled away from acting in order to spend time with family, to find solitude, or to move to another country to spend time with a wife who sacrificed much for him to pursue his career. Now he is turning the tables.I say, “Good for him.”
There is one pursuit which is not trivial. It is the one which really matters. It is the one with real eternal rewards. All the fame and fortune, accolades and possessions will amount to nothing. It all withers. We leave it all behind. We may be mourned, but eventually life moves on.
The only pursuit that matters is the pursuit of God. THAT one has eternal ramifications. Some may say, “I don’t believe that. I don’t believe in God or a hell.” That may be true, but do you really want to take that chance? You see, if you are right and I am wrong, I have lost nothing. BUT, if I am right and you are wrong, you have lost everything. Do you really want to take that chance? If Richard Dawkins was right and there is no God (as he proclaimed even on his death bed), he has lost nothing. HOWEVER, if I am right and there is, he has lost everything.
I don’t believe I’m wrong. Who or what will you pursue?
Bill, I think even within the church we can get distracted from our real goal of seeking and serving God by what I call the “fluff” of ministry—sales held merely to make money to survive, labor intensive, time-consuming events without clear connections to sharing Jesus, outdated traditions that somehow lost their focus over the years—fluff that doesn’t bring one soul into Heaven, but exhausts and depletes us.
Oh man do you speak truth here Pam!! Way too often we have lost sight that the church should be “about the Father’s business” and not our own. And holding onto old stuff is part of the culprit.
I find when my heart and mind are connected with God, there is a peace and assurance that simply cannot be replicated. A pursuit that is really unbalanced as it really fully benefits me.
When I try to do my own thing apart from God, I get anxious, I get restless, I live with a weight that simply exhausts me.
–And that is just here on Earth. I can’t even imagine what an eternity apart from God would be like… I don’t think I really want to.
That temporary unsettledness doesn’t hold a candle to eternity without Him. I don’t want to think about it either.
The pursuit of God is the only one that is NOT trivial, Bill. Great analogy here today!
Blessings!
I agree Martha. Thanks.
I know at times, I do waste to much time on trivial pursuits, sometimes the distractions last way longer than they should. The pursuit of God, is loving, exciting, fulfilling, joyful, peaceful, a never ending learning experience, one that I love with all my heart. I cannot imagine and do not even want to think about spending eternity separated from God.
I think we all get side tracked from time to time Gail. What might seem to be a good pursuit is not. May we all have the desire to have that never ending learning experience you talk about. I know I do.
I don’t believe you are wrong, either, Pastor Bill. I believe with all my heart that we are right in what we believe, and one day we will be proven right, by God’s grace. May His presence be with you in a special way today.
I agree with you Cheryl. Sadly, many will cry out and miss out because it is too late. And thank you for the blessing.