It’s been a long day after a short night. I had proverbial “last minute” end-of-the-year business stuff to tend to all day yesterday. I finished what I wanted to be sure to do at about 11:55.

Then this morning I needed to prepare to teach a men’s Sunday School class on the subject of “God Prepares Leaders.”

This afternoon we had company. And I also needed to prepare for a talk in our evening service, giving an overview of what the Epistles teach on the subject of our finances and our lifestyles.

So I’m not getting to this till almost ten at night.

“And these things write we unto you, that your joy may be full” (1 John 1:4).

God’s Word to us is for our joy! Even the so-called “don’ts” and the so-called “negatives”!

Somehow that really blessed me when I read it tonight.

Jesus also said, “These things have I spoken unto you, that my joy might remain in you, and that your joy might be full” (John 15:11).

Now if I can read and meditate and obey with that perspective of God’s purpose for me.

…eventually, but certainly…what will I do with myself now?

All the stuff I have, all the stuff I want, all the stuff for which I work, and all the stuff that doesn’t fall into any of those three categories — someday it will all be gone.

“Seeing then that all these things shall be dissolved, what manner of persons ought ye to be in all holy conversation and godliness?” (2 Peter 3:11).

Recently it struck me that I no longer work so that I may get certain things. The focus of my work has been earning the means by which to pay bills and eliminate debt. To me that seems more “noble,” somehow, but still shallow.

Even so, considering that everything I see will one day be destroyed, I ought to focus my life on being holy and godly.

May God teach me and help me to seek first His kingdom and righteousness, laying up treasures in heaven.