What's Really Important Here?

Romans 1:16-25

Brothers and sisters:
I am not ashamed of the Gospel.
It is the power of God for the salvation of everyone who believes:
for Jew first, and then Greek.
For in it is revealed the righteousness of God from faith to faith;
as it is written, "The one who is righteous by faith will live."

The wrath of God is indeed being revealed from heaven
against every impiety and wickedness
of those who suppress the truth by their wickedness.
For what can be known about God is evident to them,
because God made it evident to them.
Ever since the creation of the world,
his invisible attributes of eternal power and divinity
have been able to be understood and perceived in what he has made.
As a result, they have no excuse;
for although they knew God
they did not accord him glory as God or give him thanks.
Instead, they became vain in their reasoning,
and their senseless minds were darkened.
While claiming to be wise, they became fools
and exchanged the glory of the immortal God
for the likeness of an image of mortal man
or of birds or of four-legged animals or of snakes.

Therefore, God handed them over to impurity
through the lusts of their hearts
for the mutual degradation of their bodies.
They exchanged the truth of God for a lie
and revered and worshiped the creature rather than the creator,
who is blessed forever. Amen. 

It's hard to navigate this world. There are so many bad things that happen it is hard to tell what what is evil and what is righteous punishment from God. Perhaps they are one in the same. I know that can seem like an odd statement, and again I am no expert, but it seems to me sometimes when there are those that choose to live outside of God's covenant's bad things happen to them it is because God allows it. Why? I don't exactly know, perhaps because if you choose to live outside of God's commandments then you no longer receive his protection. If this was the case then why do evil things happen to good people sometimes? Great question, we could go round and round on this for eternity. 

Here is a fact that I know for certain though, this life is temporary. This world that we see so concretely will be here one day and gone the next. Life on this world is merely a pit-stop and that is what seems important to me, or at least to keep in mind. As a Christian I am taught to live my life righteously regardless of what happens to me. My judgement and reward (or lack thereof) will be awarded in the after life. I know this may sound stupid. I know that this is very counter-cultural to the way the world teaches us to live, but I know that if I choose to chase temporary pleasures instead of lasting happiness, not only will I become a slave, but I will also receive no reward in Heaven. 

Luke 11:37-41

After Jesus had spoken,
a Pharisee invited him to dine at his home.
He entered and reclined at table to eat.
The Pharisee was amazed to see
that he did not observe the prescribed washing before the meal.
The Lord said to him, "Oh you Pharisees!
Although you cleanse the outside of the cup and the dish,
inside you are filled with plunder and evil.
You fools!
Did not the maker of the outside also make the inside?
But as to what is within, give alms,
and behold, everything will be clean for you."

And this is where Jesus brings it home, he pleads what we worry about what is in our hearts and not what we amass here on earth. He wants us to be pure of heart. Why, cause he wants to be with us for eternity in Heaven because he loves us and desires our company. I have heard people say, "Well if God really loved me then he would let me into heaven and accept me as I am." God does love you as you are, but he doesn't want people entering Heaven only to ruin the place. He wants peace and tranquility, not more drama.

Jesus,

Thank you for another day. I love you so very much and this life you have gifted me with. Help me to make the most of it. Help me to not be distracted by cheap pleasure. Help me to love genuinely. Help me to keep my heart pure and please forgive me for all the stupid sinful stuff I do each day. You're so awesome. I love you.

In Jesus Christ's name I pray, 
Amen