Are You Ready for the Journey?

We’re all on a quest—not just to exist, but to find life that matters. That’s why books, podcasts, and influencers promising purpose or fulfillment still capture our attention. Deep down, we crave something more than fleeting success or comfort.

The truth? 

True life comes from one source: God, the Creator of all things. Without anchoring our journey in Him, we’ll chase dead ends—wealth, status, or even spiritual highs. Real life is found in becoming who God created us to be.

Ephesians 2:10 says it clearly:

For we are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared ahead of time for us to do. (CSB)

Life is walking the path God created you to walk.

The book of James hints at this journey. Written to Jesus-followers scattered and tested, James is a raw, practical guide for people like us—striving to live out God’s call in a messy world. 

James starts with a gritty reality check:

James, a servant of God and of the Lord Jesus Christ: To the twelve tribes dispersed abroad. Greetings. (James 1:1; CSB)

Biblical scholar J.A. Motyer explains this beautifully:

“The twelve tribes place the church firmly within the pressures and persecutions of this life… Their homeland is elsewhere, and they have not yet arrived. Their lot is to face life’s pressures, the pull of temptation, and a constant nudge to conform to the world’s standards… They are the Lord’s people, redeemed by the blood of the Lamb—but not yet home.” (The Message of James, p. 24-25)

Sound familiar? We’re pilgrims too—redeemed, but not home. Our journey isn’t about chasing success or ease. The life of a disciple is about faithful endurance in a world that lures us off course.

Living in a place like the United States our main obstacle is not persecution: facing imprisonment or violence for our faith. But our challenge is still real: the slow drift of compromise. Too often, the church mirrors the culture—battling the same rates of broken relationships, materialism, or addiction to screens and status. 

We settle for the world’s values instead of applying God’s truth.

Hebrews 11 reminds us that faith isn’t glamorous. A faithful life is often lived in obscurity, marked by sacrifice and a stubborn refusal to quit. Following Jesus isn’t about “thriving” by worldly standards. It’s about trusting Him through the wilderness, with all its trials and troubles.

The journey of discipleship starts when we surrender to Jesus. It ends in the joy of eternity. But the middle of journey? It’s a rugged road that tests our faith.

James offers a roadmap—not for an easy life, but for endurance, wisdom, and growth. It’s a call to choose the pilgrim path, even when it’s hard.

Refocusing on What Matters Most

“There’s something that gnaws at me, quietly but persistently—like termites eating through the foundation of my soul. Years ago, I was certain nothing mattered more than knowing God. I still believe that in my head, but my life doesn’t always show it. Too often, I slip into spiritual apathy, living as if God is a faded memory rather than the heartbeat of my existence.”

—Bill Perkins, Six Battles Every Man Must Win

This thought from Bill Perkins deeply resonates with me. In my heart, I know my life flows from my relationship with God. I have had those moments when everything felt clear—when it seems like God and I are walking side by side. But I also have to admit that more often than not, I act like I’m the one in control, walking through life as if God’s voice has faded into the background.

It is easy to lose sight of the life God has for us. The reality of daily demands—work deadlines, endless notifications, family responsibilities, and the pressure to keep up—push us along. In this chaos of life, God becomes an afterthought, crowded out by what feels urgent and important. How do we break that cycle? How do we refocus our lives on God when the world screams for our attention? Here are three steps I’ve found that help me stay connected to God.

1. Remember What’s Temporary

The first step is a reality check: the life we know is slipping away. We pour energy into accumulating stuff—new gadgets, social media likes, career wins—only to watch them lose their value. Athletes retire, awards gather dust, tech gets outdated, and trends vanish. As the Apostle John put it, “This world is fading away, along with everything it craves” (1 John 2:17a, NLT). This is why it is important to recognize the fleeting nature of this life. It helps shift our perspective. It reminds us of what lasts: love, faith, and hope. When we fix our eyes on what endures then the reality of life is put into proper perspective.

2. Worship God

The second step is worship—not just singing on Sunday, but creating a posture of gratitude and love for God in our hearts. Worship can look like belting out a praise song in the car, journaling a prayer, listening to a podcast that stirs your faith, or walking through nature in awe of God’s creation. Psalm 150:1-2 (NLT) says, “Praise the LORD! Praise God in his heavenly dwelling; praise him in his mighty heaven! Praise him for his mighty works; praise his unequaled greatness!” When we stop to worship, we lift our gaze from the to-do list and focus on our Creator and Savior. This act is like hitting reset—suddenly, the noise of life fades, and God is returned to His rightful place in our lives.

3. Prioritize Relationships Over Things

Finally, we need value our relationships. People matter more than possessions or achievements. Unfortunately this truth is forgotten, and we put a premium on what we have and what we can do. Jesus said, “Love each other. Just as I have loved you, you should love each other. Your love for one another will prove to the world that you are my disciples” (John 13:34-35, NLT). Investing time in family, friends, coworkers, or even a stranger at the coffee shop isn’t just about being nice—it is loving what God loves: people created in His image. A kind word, a shared meal, a listening ear: these small acts ripple into influence. And influence, not power or status, is what changes lives of the people we know and love.

Choosing the Better Way

When life feels overwhelming and God feels far away, it is an indication that we need to hit pause. After all, we have a choice to make. We can let the current of demands carry us along the path of life, or we can choose to reorient our hearts with the heart of God. That choice is ours to make—and honestly, I can’t think of a better way to live than a life lived for God. It is crucial to remember that this is not about perfection; it’s about the direction of our lives. A life rooted in God doesn’t just wander aimlessly, following the directions of culture—it walks the narrow way following Jesus.

What about you? How do you refocus when the world pulls you off course?

Lessons from the King: Don’t Worry

 

The Struggle Between Earthly and Heavenly Priorities

Imagine sorting your life into three categories: rubber, metal, and glass. Tim Sanders, former chief solutions officer at Yahoo! and author of Love Is the Killer App, uses this analogy to explain how we handle life’s ups and downs. Rubber things—like missing a Seahawks game—bounce back with little fuss. Metal things—like missing an important meeting—clang loudly when dropped, causing temporary chaos but nothing irreparable. Then there’s glass—the irreplaceable treasures like your marriage, family, deepest relationships, and spiritual well-being. When glass shatters, no amount of effort can fully restore it.

The challenge is clear: we all know what’s "glass" in our lives. So, what’s our priority? What’s the one thing we should devote ourselves to, the thing that puts everything else into place? Jesus has been teaching about the heart—our desires, beliefs, thoughts, and will. He’s shown us that the condition of our hearts determines whether we’re citizens of the Kingdom of Heaven. At the core of that heart must be faithfulness. Without it, we can’t belong to God’s Kingdom. Today’s text, Matthew 6:19-34, brings this truth into sharp focus.

Last week, we saw how Jesus emphasized motivation over mere actions in spiritual disciplines. If we pray, give, or fast to impress others, we’ve already received our reward. But if we do these things to connect with God and honor Him, He blesses us with answered prayer and a place in His Kingdom. That sets the stage for today’s lesson: trusting God completely. Let’s walk through the text together.

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Storing Up True Treasure (vv. 19-21)

Jesus begins, “Do not store up for yourselves treasures on earth, where moths and vermin destroy, and where thieves break in and steal.” Earthly treasures—money, possessions, status—are temporary. Moths eat them, rust corrodes them, thieves take them. Why spend your life chasing what won’t last? Instead, store up treasures in heaven—love, generosity, kindness, forgiveness—the character traits of Kingdom citizens. These are eternal.

Where your treasure is, Jesus says, there your heart will be. What we value shapes our devotion. Are we truly invested in God’s Kingdom, or are we just paying it lip service? Ask yourself: What’s more important—investments or spiritual maturity?

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A Clear or Clouded Vision (vv. 22-23)

Next, Jesus says, “The eye is the lamp of the body.” Our spiritual perception guides our lives. A healthy eye—one focused generously on God—brings light, helping us see what He values and grow in His character. But an unhealthy eye—stingy and fixated on wealth—plunges us into darkness. Greed blinds us to truth and robs us of the life God intends.

What dominates your vision: God’s Kingdom or worldly wealth?

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The Danger of Divided Devotion (v. 24)

Here’s the heart of the Sermon on the Mount: “No one can serve two masters.” Jesus pits God against money (or "Mammon"). He’s not saying money itself is evil—only that serving it is idolatry. Devotion to wealth competes with devotion to God. When God is in His rightful place, money and possessions fall into theirs. Jesus forces a choice: we’ll love one and despise the other.

So, who rules your heart—God or materialism?

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Overcoming Worry with Trust (vv. 25-32)

Jesus commands, “Do not worry about your life, what you will eat or drink.” Worry stems from a lack of trust in God’s provision—the opposite of “Give us today our daily bread.” This doesn’t mean we ignore responsibilities or stop working hard. It means trusting God to provide.

Look at the birds—they don’t fret over food, yet God feeds them. Consider the lilies—they don’t toil, yet God clothes them beautifully. If God cares for them, how much more will He care for us, His children? Worry is futile—it doesn’t add a day to our lives. Worse, it’s what pagans do. Kingdom citizens trust God instead.

Does your worry reveal a heart not fully trusting Him?

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The Key to True Security: Seeking God’s Kingdom (vv. 33-34)

“Seek first his kingdom and his righteousness, and all these things will be given to you.” That’s the antidote to worry. Prioritize God’s will—live by faith, trust, holiness, and disciple-making—and He’ll meet your needs, often through His people, the church. Align your life with His purposes, and trust Him daily.

Don’t be consumed by tomorrow—God’s got it covered. Shift your focus: seek God first, and let Him handle the rest.

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Who Do You Trust?

Jesus didn’t just teach this—He lived it. He surrendered everything to the Father, even His life on the cross, so we could become Kingdom citizens. We’re called to trust God to mature us, guide us, and provide for us. The Kingdom of Heaven is better than the reality we know now, and God will supply what we need if we stop worrying about the details.

It’s easy to say we trust God, but our focus—what we pursue—and our worries—what we dwell on—reveal the truth. How do we grow in trust? Through spiritual disciplines: prayer, gratitude, and meditating on Scripture.

Here’s the challenge:

Surrender your worries and seek God first. Examine what concerns you, confess it to God, ask Him to build your trust, and then do your part—handle your responsibilities while leaving the rest to Him.

We can’t serve two masters. Citizens of the Kingdom trust God with their treasures, needs, and future because He’s the only Master worth serving.

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Prayer

Thank God for Jesus, who made you part of His Kingdom. Ask Him to teach you to trust Him fully. Commit to following the Holy Spirit’s guidance. If God’s calling you to follow Jesus more closely today, don’t wait—take that next step.

What Really Matters

Remember the t-shirts that had the message: “______________ is life, the rest is just details” written on it?

It is not uncommon for people to have one or two passions that dominate their lives.

Some live as if football is life and others live as if politics are life and still others live as if family is life. We have a tendency to make something the focal point of our lives. 

Disciples of Jesus need to recognize our tendency to elevate a passion to the ultimate position in our lives. It could be a good thing like family and career or it could be a destructive thing like drugs and partying. 

It doesn’t matter what it is. What matters is that we recognize our ability to let one passion dominate our lives.

Perhaps this tendency is behind Paul’s prayer for the Philippians — he wanted his readers to know what mattered most in life. 

For Paul what mattered in life wasn’t who controlled the government, who would play in the Super Bowl, what the number on the scale is, or the amount of money in your bank account. It is not that these things don't matter, but they are secondary issues.

What ultimately matters is the way we live. 

In other words, Paul wanted to make sure his readers lived lives that represented Jesus and honored God.

Living that way is hard to do. 

We usually think in terms of how we can avoid bringing dishonor to God’s name. Trying not to dishonor God is not the same as choosing to do those things that honor Him. 

I think this is place where many of us are at in our walk with Jesus. 

We are satisfied with trying not to sin, trying to avoid what God prohibits, but we are not trying to demonstrate God's character to the world. We are content with not hating our neighbor rather than truly loving him.

For us to have a passion for following Jesus it is essential that we move past just trying not to sin to living a life that demonstrates God’s character. A life that is is characterized by love, joy, kindness, generosity, and forgiveness.

What we need is a shirt that says, “Following Jesus is life. The rest is just details.” 

Following Jesus through the ups and downs of life is the way we demonstrate his character in this world. 

That is precisely what we are created to do.