Do you sometimes feel like your life can be as pictured here – running in circles but not really getting where you intend to go?  I like to think that my dog, Denver,  is quite a smart dog – however, he has a habit that causes me to shed doubt on his doggie “Mensa  IQ status.”  He chases his tail.  He quite enjoys the chase, and is often successful in catching it.  He then just follows his tail around in circles…seemingly unaware that he is spinning around getting nowhere.  The problem lies with the goal of his activity and pursuit.   Unfortunately, his goal lies no further than the tip of his rear end.

Do you ever feel like you expend a lot of energy, but in reality end up not accomplishing the most important things- those that last eternally?  Perhaps your goal is not clear or has gotten lost in the cares, desires for other things and the pleasures of life (Mk. 4:18-19.)

I can, like Martha, get busy about many things and thus distracted from what is most important.  Luke 10:38-42

    As Jesus and his disciples were on their way, he came to a village where a woman named Martha opened her home to him. [39] She had a sister called Mary, who sat at the Lord’s feet listening to what he said. [40] But Martha was distracted by all the preparations that had to be made. She came to him and asked, “Lord, don’t you care that my sister has left me to do the work by myself? Tell her to help me!”

    [41] “Martha, Martha,” the Lord answered, “you are worried and upset about many things, [42] but only one thing is needed. Mary has chosen what is better, and it will not be taken away from her.”

I must remind myself again and again (and God does a good job at reminding me through the scriptures) that the things I seek to accomplish need to be summed up primarily in two clear practical realities – Loving God and loving people.

Matthew 22:34-40

    Hearing that Jesus had silenced the Sadducees, the Pharisees got together. [35] One of them, an expert in the law, tested him with this question: [36] “Teacher, which is the greatest commandment in the Law?”

    [37] Jesus replied: ” ‘Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind.’ [38] This is the first and greatest commandment. [39] And the second is like it: ‘Love your neighbor as yourself.’ [40] All the Law and the Prophets hang on these two commandments.”

Practically, I can be busy doing many things in my life, but if I am not spending time with God in prayer and learning to better obey his word….and loving others by caring for them, sharing Jesus with them, and helping them get to heaven I will resemble Denver…busy chasing what will accomplish nothing of everlasting value.

In the choices you make with how you spend your time….are these two most important things clear to you and to those who observe your life?