Grab What's
Important
May 10, 2004
If I were to ask you, “Which is more important to
you: making money or your family?” without a moment’s hesitation
you’d probably answer, “My family.”
But if I were to follow you around for a week, how
would your actions answer that question? Would your life say
that your work is more important?
If so, you’d no doubt justify your long hours by
explaining that the money you hope to make will buy happiness
for your family. But are you and your family happy now? Many men
seem to be chasing happiness. They hope to catch it down the
road when they’ve achieved success.
But happiness isn’t something that’s achieved
through hard work or money. The famed Irish poet and dramatist
Oscar Wilde once wrote, “In this world there are only two
tragedies. One is not getting what you want, and the other is
getting it.” No matter how hard you may work at attaining
success or how much success you attain, it won’t satisfy.
The list of successful people who have
self-destructed grows tragically long. When the veneer of
achievement is stripped away, even those who are rich and
powerful long for something more. In spite of all the evidence
pointing to the fact that money and possessions can’t satisfy,
most of us don’t get the picture.
Solomon said that nothing under the sun will give
our lives lasting pleasure (Ecclesiastes 2:11). Fortunately,
there is a God above the sun who can. The enjoyment of life is a
gift from God. It’s elusive if pursued apart from him. When we
focus on God, he fills us with joy regardless of our
circumstances. No matter what we may have, if we have God we can
enjoy life. He brings joy and balance to all we do. Without him
at the center of our existence, life is tilted and bland.
So Oscar Wilde wasn’t completely right after all.
There is a tragedy greater than the two he mentioned: the
tragedy of missing God!
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