Don’t neglect the eternal

Isaiah 40:8 (ESV)

The grass withers, the flower fades,

    but the word of our God will stand forever.

You’ll fold laundry and more is right on its heels. You’ll make curtains only to have them go out of fashion in a few years. You will empty the dishwasher only to have it filled again. You mow the lawn and turn around and its time to mow again.

It can feel like the activities we’re doing are endless and ultimately pointless. It all will fade and wither and we can’t take it with us.

There does have to be a greater point. The stuff is all just stuff. The routine is just the routine. It sounds cliché, but without love, without Christ, it doesn’t really mean anything in light of eternity.

So, how can you paint a bedroom with love? What do household chores have to do with your walk with God?

I think it all boils down to the heart. Are we painting the room because we want to show it off on Instagram? Or are we painting the room to serve the family member who will be sleeping there? Do we become resentful of our family for making themselves at home, thereby creating more cleaning for us to do? Or are we humbling ourselves to serve them?

It’s the heart behind what we’re doing that makes it worthwhile. If we do all things out of love for God and others, we will do the right things. And the spiritual growth that comes from it, the fruit that can be seen by others is what is eternal.

It puts things in perspective, doesn’t it? It gives a depth and importance to everything, even the things that seem futile.

What is your motivation for working on your home? Is there pride, resentment, or any other sin that is being harbored?

Ask God to give you opportunities to use your home to serve and show His love to your family, friends, and even strangers.

Next time you’re doing a chore you really dislike, try praying through it. Thank God for clean water, machines that make our labor easier, a roof overhead, climate control, etc. Praying with a heart of thanksgiving and worship will most likely pull a selfish perspective to an eternal one.

Dear Lord, we thank You for the many blessing You have given to us. Help us to do the chores around us in a way that is pleasing to You. In the Name of Jesus, Amen.