This morning’s daily devotion brought about some powerful, truthful words that got me thinking. So I will quote a little of this devotional, and I will share some of the revelations that came to me as I was looking at the scripture paired with it.

“The free will I bestowed on you comes with awesome responsibility. Each day presents you with choice after choice. Many of these decisions you ignore and thus make by default. Without a focal point to guide you, you can easily lose your way…” –Sarah Young, Jesus Calling: Enjoying Peace in His Presence

Colossians 3:23-24

We would all be wise to remember that our focal point is not to serve ourselves each day. You are not the center of the universe. You were not made to be served. You are not a god. Your happiness is not your ultimate quest. The law (and my focal point as a Christian) was summed up by Jesus in “love God and love your neighbor as yourself.” That is what pleases God, and in turn, fulfills the deep longing that he set within ALL of our souls from the beginning of our design. Ecclesiastes 3:11.

Society has always been self-centered and self-love-focused; growingly evident in today’s world of instant gratification. Yet, have we not recognized that people have very sorted definitions of “self-love” often confusing and lessening it to a one-dimensional, cheap lust or indulgence? As a Christian, I know that God IS love. God’s Holy Spirit, His character, His personality IS love, peace, joy, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control. Galatians 5:22-23. When those fruits are evident, it is an indication that the Holy Spirit is near. If our focal point is on loving God well, then that means being in tune and in step with His Word, plan and purpose for our life. That in turn allows us to love our neighbors well, though we may not agree with them. Dear reader, the only fruits to come from leaning into those truths…are fruits which against there is no law…Galatians 5:23 That is peaceful. That is lovely.

Let me continue on to address that last fruit of the Holy Spirit here in comparison to the choices we make daily (ignorantly and willfully): self-control. Self-control is not some fateful, no-fun, weighted word. It is a good fruit from God (not self, interestingly). It is also a fruit you cannot have or call upon in your life for long without the presence of God’s Holy Spirit and a community of believers that know your struggles in life. It is important to walk in step with God and trusted others in order to help you when your “spirit is willing, but your flesh is weak.” We have a social responsibility in this life. Romans 14:13, 1 Corinthians 8:9

The choices we all make to satisfy our own individual “happiness” impacts those living in the world around us in ripple effects, good AND bad. That is a fact. “Happiness” does not have the same definition or standard by everyone. There are people given over to depraved, sick thoughts, and spirits that are not good in this world feeding on weak minds with no focus; no anchor; no hope. We cannot ignore that fact. We see it if we have eyes to watch the news, and ears to hear it, or hands to read it. Think about for a moment the deplorable industry of human trafficking that actually exists. It exists because there is still a “market” for it! *shudders* The market of human trafficking is advanced off of real people’s lust for their self-serving, physical gratification, power, greed…and lack of self-control (lack of the Holy Spirit in or near their lives).

When you satisfy yourself and ignore that social responsibility just because it makes you “happy” or “feel good;” you ignore the implications that your choices have on you AND others AND (more importantly) God. If you find your beliefs and choices to be based on a root thought of: “this is not as bad as so and so, or such and such, therefore, I think it is okay“…that is a slippery slope of comparison and judgement you are on. It is a shame based philosophy. That is the world’s current lie. Can you not see how condemning that is to one another?

If YOUR happiness is your only purpose or goal each day, then logical reasoning would suggest that no one else can ever be allowed to be happy. There is no good satisfaction in seeking only to serve yourself and your own happiness. It is not a truth. It is not logical. If it were true, then no one, literally, no one else, could be happy. And if no one else in the world is happy, how can you actually achieve this elusive “happiness” for yourself? Why are we setting up our own personal happiness and truths as a focal point?

Your happiness is not a purpose or a goal to be achieved. It is an always changing, fleeting feeling based on your emotions and beliefs at a given time. If your happiness is what you covet most, you will have made yourself to be what the world should revolve around and serve; you will have set yourself up as god. And if you have set yourself up that way (unknowingly or knowingly), then can you honestly say you have been a good one? Is there evidence of love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, gentleness, self-control, etc. daily flowing from the way you interact with others, yourself, and the God you may be claiming? Because, reader, you cannot serve two masters. Matthew 6:24 and Luke 16:13  And if you serve only you…you certainly do not serve any God you claim, and you will not serve others well.

What I do today will impact everyone I interact with, some in good ways, and unfortunately, though I don’t wish it, some in bad ways. Walking in step with God is not easy. This is why I need God’s redeeming grace through Christ, every day. This is why each moment, I can call on the Holy Spirit to redirect my steps for good when I have recognized my errors and turned back with a right heart to focus on my relationship with God.

We were made for more. We were made for good. We allow what is not good, because we turn away from the real definition of love and goodness that is God and His Kingdom Matthew 6:33  and we ask so much with wrong motives. James 4:3

Your free will. My free will. Free will comes with “awesome responsibility.” How will you steward well that responsibility if you are gifted with another day?