Trophies

“For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also.” Matthew 6:21 (NIV)“But seek first his kingdom and his righteousness and all these things will be given to you as well.” Matthew 6:33 (NIV)We once had trophies lined up in our house from accomplishments, and we were especially recognized and known for the sport of volleyball. One day, as I was sitting there looking at those trophies, I realized that I, as a father, was missing the whole point if I was raising my children to base their lives only on who they are and what they can be through education and sports.In Deuteronomy 6:7, the Word of God commands us parents to impress upon the hearts of our children, to talk to them about loving God with all our heart, soul and strength. We thought we had achieved a lot, and yet sin had crept in because I was not alert as a father, a leader, a spiritual protector of our household.I needed to prepare my family not only for this world, with its presence of evil, but to prepare them ever so greatly to put their trust in Jesus Christ, to follow Him, and walk with Him to enjoy the abundant life by having a close relationship with Jesus Christ.I started “cleaning” my house. I put aside the gold trophies that get tarnished by time, and I brought out the more important thing: the Word of God. I have never made a better choice. I love my Lord and thank Him for the time He has given me to share what is the most important thing in life.There are so many distractions in life, even good ones, whether it be music, sports, jobs and security. We can become so busy that we forget our calling from the Lord, to seek first the kingdom of God.– Ken Mitsuing   Council Fire is a collaboration with Intertribal Life Ministries and Native Evangelical Fellowship of Canada. The Council Fire Daily Devotional Book Set is available on the Intertribal Life Ministries website. Learn more about Council Fire at councilfire365.org