Too many, life is a game a time of enjoyment and self-fulfillment. Everything is about me. What makes me happy? What makes me feel good? What takes up your time and your money? The Corinthian church struggled with the same thing. Paul instructs them to quit the foolishness and serve God.

2 Corinthians 11:16-27 “16 Again I say, don’t think that I am a fool to talk like this. But even if you do, listen to me, as you would to a foolish person, while I also boast a little. 17 Such boasting is not from the Lord, but I am acting like a fool. 18 And since others boast about their human achievements, I will, too. 19 After all, you think you are so wise, but you enjoy putting up with fools! 20 You put up with it when someone enslaves you, takes everything you have, takes advantage of you, takes control of everything, and slaps you in the face. 21 I’m ashamed to say that we’ve been too “weak” to do that! But whatever they dare to boast about—I’m talking like a fool again—I dare to boast about it, too. 22 Are they Hebrews? So am I. Are they Israelites? So am I. Are they descendants of Abraham? So am I. 23 Are they servants of Christ? I know I sound like a madman, but I have served him far more! I have worked harder, been put in prison more often, been whipped times without number, and faced death again and again. 24 Five different times the Jewish leaders gave me thirty-nine lashes. 25 Three times I was beaten with rods. Once I was stoned. Three times I was shipwrecked. Once I spent a whole night and a day adrift at sea. 26 I have traveled on many long journeys. I have faced danger from rivers and from robbers. I have faced danger from my own people, the Jews, as well as from the Gentiles. I have faced danger in the cities, in the deserts, and on the seas. And I have faced danger from men who claim to be believers but are not.[a] 27 I have worked hard and long, enduring many sleepless nights. I have been hungry and thirsty and have often gone without food. I have shivered in the cold, without enough clothing to keep me warm.”

Life is not about human achievement but God achievement. Sure I can say I have done this or that. I have accomplished X or Z, but none of that matters. Quit playing around like a fool and get serious about your relationship with God. God does not expect you to go through life without enjoying yourself, but He does expect to be the center of that enjoyment. We mess here and there with things we have no business being involved in. We look only at what makes us happy, what we deserve. Look at your life through God’s eyes. Realize what you can accomplish. Put away the stupid replaceable things of life and anchor yourself to the things that cannot be taken, cannot be shaken, and cannot be lost. I’m tired of dealing with a generation that is in with God halfheartedly. Get serious with God.

Calvary Christian Center, Assemblies of God, Louisville, KY