Consumed

When you hear the word consume or consumed what do you think of?  Food or drink being devoured?  The gas in your car being depleted?  Oil reserves used up?  For me, it generally defines something used until it is gone.

Can things in our lives consume us?  What does that mean?  Do we give ourselves so completely to our jobs or careers or our families or projects that they consume us?  What about fear?  What about worry or our thoughts?  What about the home we want to live in or the toys we can't live without?  Sounds dangerous to me now.

Recently I've been consumed with a basement remodel (or finishing our basement).  I've felt a ton of pressure over the course of a year plus now.  I think "consumed" is an accurate term for my behavior.  I've been so driven to just get it done that it takes up all my extra time, all my extra thought, all my extra energy and it's left little room for anything else.  I've missed out on time with my wife and son.   The project is nearly complete now - thankfully.  What are you consumed with, and at what cost has it come?

In Luke chapter 14:28-29 Jesus talks about counting the cost.  Here He talks about the financial cost, but perhaps we need to also consider the physical and emotional cost:

28 “Suppose one of you wants to build a tower. Won’t you first sit down and estimate the cost to see if you have enough money to complete it? 29 For if you lay the foundation and are not able to finish it, everyone who sees it will ridicule you."

What happened to our soldier recently who paid such a high cost for being consumed by his role in battle that he lost his sanity, lost control and mentally snapped?  Innocent people died and a great controversy arose.  Was it worth it? I feel so badly for him.  I'm sure he didn't join the military with plans to one day snap and consequently take innocent lives.  What innocent lives are being affected by what you're consumed with?  Is there still time for you to change; to regain proper balance in your life?  Will you take a moment and examine yourself and ask that question?

When something is consumed, say a can of coca-cola, it's all gone and the can is left empty.  Don't allow circumstances or goals in your life to consume you to the point that you're empty too.

Jesus said later in chapter 14:33, "In the same way, those of you who do not give up everything you have cannot be my disciples."

If anything in our lives besides God consumes us, it is all for nothing.  Don't let the world consume you and don't consume the world.  Ask our Father to show you what might be consuming your life and ask Him to help you.  When He consumes your life, you won't be left empty, but rather will be filled to overflowing in peace, in joy, and in love.