It’s a beautiful Monday in northern Michigan. As I write I have a wonderful view of the snow covered back yard. We awoke to a fresh coat of fine powder on top of the snow that has already fallen. It’s been snowing a bit more today and now the snow continues to gently drift downward. It would be a wonderful day to go outdoors with the children to play in the snow but no one in our household has been outside for fun in several days.
The children have all been fighting a mean cough and each has had a fever. The thermometer has seen a lot of use in the past few days. The thermometer is a useful instrument for telling you how serious you need to be about treating an illness. If it’s a mild temperature adequate treatment is usually a dose of fever reducing medicine. But a fever that’s more severe requires more attention and caution.
Wouldn’t it be nice if you could take your spiritual temperature? Wouldn’t it be helpful if there were a test of some sort to tell you if you needed treatment for a spiritual fever?
If you want to take your spiritual temperature John MacArthur says, “Look at your checkbook. Where are you investing your treasure? That’s where your heart really is.”
He’s right. A good test of your hearts desires is where you find yourself spending your time and money. What types of things have your attention over all others? If you find it difficult to read God’s Word without being distracted with other pursuits, and you’re having a hard time making prayer a priority in your day, and you don’t seem to have a burden for the spiritual lives of those close to you, these are signs your spiritual temperature needs some attention.
A good prescription for this ailment is to take inventory of what truly matters for eternity. Will it be the treasured possessions you can’t take with you or the eternal souls of the ones you love that have the majority of your attention in the year ahead? Give those burdens to the Lord in prayer and ask Him to help you order your priorities and your days.
The steps of the godly are directed by the LORD.
He delights in every detail of their lives.
Psalm 37:23 (NLT)
Wishing you a Christ centered New Year
Kevin