ultimately ultimate

What is ultimate in our lives?  The great/scary thing about our lives is we are writing the answer to that question constantly and we don’t need words to do it. What we place as ultimate in our lives, whether intentionally or unintentionally, shapes everything we do. If comfort, safety, kids, vacations, things, status, job level, etc. are ultimate they will not just consume the time we spend actually partaking in such things but they will shape the way we think and act even when we are not in the act of doing them.  If my kids are ultimate, time spent with them in activities is not the only time they consume. In fact, the time spent in the actual activity may be the healthiest time spent… it is the fact that they, if they are ultimate, shape every other aspect of our lives that is the tragedy.  Please don’t misunderstand, I think prioritizing kids, or even things like vacations, activities, hobbies and work is not evil or wrong. We can and do bring glory to God through these things when they take their proper place.

But, what I am saying is that putting something that is not God as ultimate in your life is extremely unfair to that “thing” and will ultimately lead to depression and devastation. The only “thing” that has the weight and substance to handle being ultimate is  God. He bears all things and is the giver of everything good. When He is ultimate, life works as designed.  When we allow Him to shape our time, our kids, vacations, homes, jobs and hobbies, these things ultimately become a very meaningful act of worship…but, not ultimate.