What Really Matters?

Today in the leadership class I was teaching, I pointed out to the LEOs and firefighters in attendance that each day their men and women are heroes just going to work. Remembering to remind those you lead of the importance and purpose of their jobs can go a long way towards keeping them motivated and satisfied. After class I thought, that seems to happen a lot. Sometimes, we forget to recognize what is really important, what really matters. It is not movie stars and athletes. It is not eccentric dot-com billionaires. It is not politicians. It is mom and dads who put their family first. It is supper at home. It is spending time with your kids, and it is volunteering time with kids who don’t have a family. It is people that work hard everyday to meet their commitments, take care of themselves, and take care of those they love. Do not let your world become upside down and consumed by the things that don’t really matter. Simplify and focus, give credit to that person who stays after Church to clean, who picks up trash in the street, who does the right thing when no one is looking. Part of focusing on what matters is denying the worst part of ourselves: our pride, our envy, our greed. It is not easy, but it is necessary. As Christ said to the young ruler in Mark 10:21 in answer to what he was spiritually lacking: “And Jesus, looking at him, loved him, and said to him, “You lack one thing: go, sell all that you have and give to the poor, and you will have treasure in heaven; and come, follow me.” The things that matter are clear, but staying focused on them is hard. Just as following Christ gives one life, following the right things gives one peace and freedom from the anxiety of the world.