What Truly Matters?
This month’s devotional centres on a question that echoes with deep significance: What truly matters? These three words resonated with me after joining over 80 women at the City Church’s Women of the Word Conference this past April. Together, we pressed into the work God is doing in our lives, and I left with a phrase resounding in my mind: only one thing matters.
Perhaps this struck me because I was in a season where life felt crowded. My days were full, but my spirit drained as I was running on spiritual reserve. The unscheduled but deliberate interruptions from work to commune with God had grown infrequent. During Julianne Butler’s session something shifted in my mind as she discussed Mary and Martha’s story – a familiar passage. I figured this was a nudge to choose what truly mattered, i.e. prioritising Jesus and toning down the busyness of life. In the referenced text, Mary chose to glean from the words of Jesus sitting with his followers. This was a culture shifting moment, Jesus encouraging Mary instead of rebuking her as Martha and perhaps other people expected.
It occurred to me that if I made Jesus the centre of my life and the reason for doing what I do, I possibly could feel less burnt out. When Jesus becomes the “why” behind my career, worship, parenting, friendships, service, and even rest, burnout gives way to meaningful activity. When He is the centre, my output will be fuelled by intimacy. And even when life remains busy, it becomes aligned to what truly matters – serving God.
Choosing what truly matters begins with obedience and intimacy, not just activity. It’s not about doing more for Jesus, but about being more with Him. Luke 6:46-49 encourages us to build our lives on the right foundation, drawing two parallels about builders. Choosing what truly matters in this context can be likened to the one who builds on the rock (one who hears His words and puts them into practice)
46 “Why do you call me, ‘Lord, Lord,’ and do not do what I say? 47 As for everyone who comes to me and hears my words and puts them into practice, I will show you what they are like. 48 They are like a man building a house, who dug down deep and laid the foundation on rock. When a flood came, the torrent struck that house but could not shake it, because it was well built. 49 But the one who hears my words and does not put them into practice is like a man who built a house on the ground without a foundation. The moment the torrent struck that house, it collapsed and its destruction was complete.”
If you’re in a season of dryness or overextension, be reminded: Only one thing matters – the outworking of our relationship with Jesus. In Him, we receive the framework for prioritising our lives from distractions evident around us. Building our lives brick by brick on the wisdom he offers, fuelled by his grace and fellowship with a community of believers. My sincere prayer is that we live a life that reflects Him, marked by both intimacy and impact, as Matthew 5:16 says:
“Let your light shine before others, that they may see your good deeds and glorify your Father in heaven.”