Does It All Come Down to This?

It is just this. Only this. Nothing else but this. That’s it, that’s all.

If you were to come across such a statement what would you put as the ‘it’? What does it all come down to for you where when everything else is stripped away that which remains is the only thing that mattered? It works out a lot like the core of something. It’s more than just the core, though, for that thing propels everything else.

Some in church circles will give the impression that when it’s all said and done, it’s all about Jesus. Some believers will give you the impression that when it’s all said and done, it’s all about Jesus. I sure would love to give you the impression that when it’s all said and done, it’s all about Jesus.

What happens though, is that things happen that prove if that assertion is really true. You’re put in a tough position where you can retain your faith in Jesus, or do something to protect yourself. You can express your faith in Jesus, or do something to promote yourself. You can extend your faith in Jesus, or do something to preserve yourself.

There’s an episode in scripture featuring the first human king of God’s people, Israel. He had an opportunity to really show that he was going to do everything God told him. He had a great chance. And he messed it up because when it came down to it, what mattered was the retaining, protecting, promoting and preservation of himself. The real tragedy was, it wasn’t even though his life was at stake. He could have been totally faithful and emerged with credit from everyone. Instead, he played to the crowd, looked to the popularity, he looked to what would make him look good. Even in times of victory, the true self can be exposed.

Traumas and tragedies take place and with them there is an opportunity to really show what it all comes down to. Sometimes it can reveal the degree to which what drives us and the sole function of our existence is the god we have made in our own image.

We are challenged often to consider what is the core and driving motivation of our lives. Is it Jesus or is it really the self?

(Photo by Jens Lelie on Unsplash)

For His Name’s Sake

Shalom

C. L. J. Dryden