What's Your Obsession?

It's New Year’s and often a time we find ourselves reflecting on our lives, how fulfilled we feel, and whether we like the way our life is going. Just what makes life worth living for you?

When asked this question, people have many different responses: family, marriage,  friends, career, creative expression, adventure, being loved, growing and learning. For some people it is attaining wealth, fame, success or prominence in their field.

We only have to observe other people to know what's most important to them. We can all identify people who are obsessed with the latest tech gadgets, beauty, fashion, food, sports, a movie or rockstar, texting, video games etc. A number of years ago a foreign observer summed up our obsessions well in the statement: “America is not a democracy, but a monarchy. Your king is materialism, your queen is entertainment, and your crown prince is sports.”

Increasingly though, many people state that they “aren't sure” what makes life worth living. In a recent survey, one person said, “I'm not sure. Sometimes I think it's what we own that drives us. Our possessions feel like an extension of ourselves, and if we stop now, we fear losing it all.”

Scripture tells us that we become the servant of whatever is important to us. It dictates our priorities, how we spend our time, where we invest our resources, even whom we associate with. To a much larger extent than we imagine, what we deem important controls us. Whether we realize it or not we are worshiping it.

You may think that only religious people worship, but actually we all worship something. Worship simply means to pay homage, idolize or give adulation to something or someone. Whatever makes our life meaningful is what we worship.

Interestingly, psychological research indicates that our brain appears wired to search for meaning in life. Their research concludes: “What makes life meaningful is the deep sense that a unique purpose awaits us. We have only to discover it to be fulfilled.”

We can chase many obsessions looking for meaning and purpose, only to find ourselves dominated instead. What we think we want ends up controlling us, not fulfilling us. This is because we were created to worship Father God, to find our life's meaning in Him.

1 John 2:16–17 tells us: “Everything in the world, the lust of the flesh, the lust of the eyes, and the pride of life--comes not from the Father, but from the world. And the world and its desires pass away, but whoever does the will of God has abundant life.”

Many people don't want to worship God because they don't want to be dominated by Him. But Father God will never dominate us because He loves us. He reassures us, “I have loved you with an everlasting love; I have drawn you with unfailing kindness.” (Jeremiah 31:3) In fact, Father God promises to set us free (John 8:36) Actually, He is the only meaning and purpose in life that will not dominate or control us!

Why not let 2013 be the year you discover true meaning and fulfillment in your life, in a relationship with Father God that sets you free. Let your obsession be the worship of Him!

Come and join us this Sunday at 9:00 AM or 11:00 AM. We will be starting a new series, “A Life of Worship” and my son Gabriel will be preaching on “Spirit and Truth”. Happy New Year!

Pastor Che