"What does it profit a man to gain the whole world and lose his own soul?" Matthew 16:26
Relationships are important. The man who puts his career or the pursuit of his own interests above the well-being of his family has succumbed to the 'me first' mentality that plagues our nation.
We encourage our children from an early age to do what pleases them. Of course, we want them to pursue their interests and to develop their innate abilities, but unless that is done within the context of their relationship with others, their successes will be hollow.
The man who gains acclaim in his profession will never feel completely
good about his achievements if he has attained his goals without
integrity.
The woman who gains fame and fortune because of her physical beauty without allowing the inner woman to be gracious and encouraging to others will never realize the joy of enabling someone else to achieve a sense of self worth.
But the relationship that is most neglected is the one a person should have with his Maker. As Augustine said, "Lord, You have made us for Yourself, and restless are our hearts until they rest in You," and all other achievements are diminished in their ability to satisfy the inner longing of the soul if they are not attained "as unto the Lord." Ecclesiastes 9:10, Colossians 3:23
When the time comes that we must lie alone with our thoughts, we will be laden with regret if we cannot reflect upon the joy and beauty we have brought into the lives of those we love.
When the time comes that we must lie alone with our thoughts, we will be laden with regret if we cannot look forward with sweet anticipation to seeing the Lover of our soul face-to-face and realizing our eternity will be beautiful because of the relationship we have with Him.
The woman who gains fame and fortune because of her physical beauty without allowing the inner woman to be gracious and encouraging to others will never realize the joy of enabling someone else to achieve a sense of self worth.
But the relationship that is most neglected is the one a person should have with his Maker. As Augustine said, "Lord, You have made us for Yourself, and restless are our hearts until they rest in You," and all other achievements are diminished in their ability to satisfy the inner longing of the soul if they are not attained "as unto the Lord." Ecclesiastes 9:10, Colossians 3:23
When the time comes that we must lie alone with our thoughts, we will be laden with regret if we cannot reflect upon the joy and beauty we have brought into the lives of those we love.
When the time comes that we must lie alone with our thoughts, we will be laden with regret if we cannot look forward with sweet anticipation to seeing the Lover of our soul face-to-face and realizing our eternity will be beautiful because of the relationship we have with Him.
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