EXCHANGING WHAT CONTROLS YOU
Exchanging What Controls You
Romans 13:11-12
And that, knowing the time, that now it is high time to awake out of sleep: for now is our salvation nearer than when we believed.
The night is far spent, the day is at hand: let us therefore cast off the works of darkness, and let us put on the armour of light.
In a world that often pulls us toward fleeting pleasures and material desires, finding true Peace and contentment can be very challenging.
Yet, amid this chaos, there lies a profound truth that can transform your life: the call to exchange the fleshly things of this world for the spiritual treasures offered through Jesus Christ.
We live in a society that bombards us with messages encouraging the pursuit of worldly things—wealth, status, and physical gratification. These pursuits can be enticing, promising satisfaction and joy but never really delivering. However, as many of us have discovered, the happiness we seek from earthly treasures are often temporary, leaving us yearning for something deeper, something eternal.
Jesus Christ offers us a beautiful invitation to shift our focus from the temporary to the eternal. He reminds us in
Matthew 6:19-21
19 Lay not up for yourselves treasures upon earth, where moth and rust doth corrupt, and where thieves break through and steal:
20 But lay up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where neither moth nor rust doth corrupt, and where thieves do not break through nor steal:
21 For where your treasure is, there will your heart be also.
This scripture is really the essence of your journey. It calls for us to re-evaluate where we place our affections and priorities our time and energy.
The treasures of heaven are not subject to decay; they are everlasting. They include love, peace, joy, grace, and the profound connection we find in our relationship with Jesus and other people.
The beauty of this exchange is that it doesn't require a hefty price tag or a grand gesture; it begins with a willing heart. When we surrender our desires for worldly pleasures—be it the pursuit of excessive wealth, the acceptance from others, or harmful relationships—we create space for something far more fulfilling: spiritual abundance.
Through prayer, worship, and the reading of scripture, we begin to align our hearts with God's purpose.
The journey of exchanging fleshly desires for spiritual treasures is a continual process. It's not about being perfect but rather about daily progress—taking one step at a time towards a deeper relationship with Christ. There will be moments when the allure of the world tries to pull you back, but it's in those moments that you must lean on your faith, reminding yourselves of the abundant life Jesus promises.
Today, surround yourselves with believers who uplift and inspire you. Together, we can encourage one another to keep our eyes fixed on the ultimate prize: a life lived in accordance with God's will, filled with purpose and love. He can and will supply greater things than the world will ever offer you.
The exchange of fleshly things for spiritual treasures through Jesus Christ is not merely a trade; it is a transformation. It is a journey from the superficial to significance, from emptiness to abundance. When we choose to prioritize our spiritual walk, we find a life that reflects the love of Christ, impacting not only your own heart but also the world around you.
I encourage you to seek first the kingdom of God and His righteousness, trusting that all other things will be added unto you according to God’s perfect will. In doing so, you will discover a profound peace and joy that only the Holy Spirit can provide—a treasure that no thief can steal, and no earthly thing can ever compare.
