Chase What Matters

The Chase- everyone’s seen the current commercial from Chase credit card- “Chase what matters.” It shows a progression of a guy longing for a large flat panel HD TV and eventually towards the end of the commercial buying it.  The last view we get is the aforementioned guy and his lady snuggling up watching their new TV bought on their Chase credit card.  I hate that commercial, (yes I know that hate is a strong word, but I do indeed hate it); it makes my spine crawl and my blood boil- not because I hate big, flat panel TV’s (We have one), but because it make one think that is what is really important in life.  Sad isn’t it? However, it is a microcosm of the state of our nation.  Does what Chase says is important really matter?

We’ll also hear about that too in a few weeks when President Obama takes the podium and sounds off for an hour or so about the “State of the Union”, which effectively is really, how’s the finances look and what we’re chasing as a nation.  We’re a country so driven by stuff.  Our love for ‘gear’ and things has us spiraling out of control into debt, divorce and discontentedness.  We think “we’re chasing what matters”; when in fact, we’re just chasing our tails.  We’ve become so off center in our love of money and things that we often times even make our decisions on parenting, church attendance and even political voting based more upon money than we do upon morals.  We focus on an economy in shambles or personal finances that probably won’t be fixed any time soon instead of timely moral issues of our time including our marriage/families.

What I mean is; we think it more imperative to be “a good provider” than to be a mom or dad who spends time with our kids and each other.  We see the economy or ‘bail out’ to be of greater importance than abortion or religious genocide going on around the world.  Our kids don’t need to see us rolling in nice vehicles or going with the flow of what is politically correct,  they would rather you drive my mom’s old car- an 82’ Valare and be so in love with God, them and each other that you do the right thing no matter the cost- something that can’t be purchased with a credit card, status or real money.

Still, somehow, we think that the car or house is more important- the thing we should be chasing.  We think the Jones’ house we’re keeping up with is what we need be to “Jonesing” over.  But let me tell you; your kids are better off having less than the people next door if they get more from you.  ‘Chasing what matters’, means pursuing the dreams He’s put in our hearts for both our lives and His Kingdom!  Those dreams are not about getting, rather they are about giving.  (ACTS 20:35- “It is more blessed to give than it is to receive.”)

This year I urge you to ponder and pray about what really matters.  Chase the dreams God has put into your heart, but also temper that with the thought- does what I am chasing/dreaming about matter to God. “What is highly valued among men is detestable in God’s sight.”  What matters to God is: people, family, righteousness, love, joy, self-control, et al.  God’s thought of what matters is not primarily about making more money this year or working more hours to get that boat or big screen.  He WILL provide for all of our needs according to His limitless riches and glory and chances are He wants to use us as His vessel to provide for someone else’s needs and be proof of His riches and glory.

Chase what matters this year- pursue God, your family and unchurched world He’s given you!