What is The Single Most Satisfying Choice In Life?

Reflections for this date are based on the following scripture passages:
Matthew 19	Matthew 20	Matthew 21	Genesis 13	Genesis 14	Psalms 6

Jesus said, "But many who are first will be last, and the last first." (Matt 19:30) He illustrated it with parables such as the man who hired workers at different times throughout the day so that by the end of the day those who were hired first had worked all day while those hired last had worked only an hour. But the man wanted to pay all of them the same wage. It is no surprise that those hired earlier in the day protested. But the man told them, "Don't I have the right to do what I want with my business? Are you jealous because I'm generous?'" (Matt 20:15)

On another occasion Jesus told his disciples that their values were to be different than what is typical of mankind. Rather than pursuing positions of power they were to be satisfied to serve others. For in God's kingdom, "whoever wants to be first among you must be your slave." (Matt 20:26) This was what Jesus came to do. To serve rather than to be served.

We see a similar value displayed in an an Old Testament account involving Abram and his nephew Lot. God had blessed both Abram and Lot with many possessions. In fact, the land could not support their people and livestock when they were all together. So Abram gave Lot his choice of territory. "Separate from me:", Abram said to Lot. "If you go to the left, I will go to the right; if you go to the right, I will go to the left." (Gen 13:9) Lot chose what appeared to be the best land which was well-watered and fertile. But his choice did not bode well for him. He ended up losing all, including much of his family. He forgot the source of what he had.

What do we learn from these accounts? I'm sure there are numerous lessons to be gained from them, but the one that strikes me on this occasion is that only one choice, only one pursuit, is sufficient. It is not what we think will make us happy that makes us happy. It is not what we think will prosper us that will prosper us. It is not what mankind typically thinks will satisfy that does so. We must forget the wisdom of the world and hold to the wisdom Jesus taught. There is only one choice, one pursuit that is sufficient. It is the Lord. He is all-sufficient for He is the source of everything.

If we will seek the Lord above all else and accept what He provides, we will find that we are satisfied and fulfilled and want for nothing else. It will not matter that the Lord, as the man who paid his workers out of his generosity rather than by merit, will also bless us out of His generosity and not by what we consider to be our merit. With our eyes on the Lord we will want for nothing and will not notice what the world considers to be inequity.