Growing up in a bedroom community to New York City, many of my friend’s
fathers commuted by train into the city everyday. Leaving early and returning
home late each evening, an 8 hour workday was really a 12 hour commute/work day
five days a week. A daily grind that turned into weekly, then monthly, yearly,
and finally a career. Time spent away from home and family, and they got to
make friends with their other commuters, and lives could evolve. The man at
work was different than the man on the train, and could be different from the
man at home. With too many fathers spending more time commuting than with their
families during the week. And many of my friends never got to spend time with
their fathers, they were too tired on weekends, keeping up with the Jones in
suburbia, and resting on Sunday after golf, to begin the routine early on Monday
morning. The same man, but also a business man, commuter, father and husband.
The man The Kinks once sang about “a well respected man about to do the best
things so conservatively.” And as they became more successful, it meant more
money, but more time away from family, with priorities confused with the
requirements of life.
We all fall victim to this from time to time, from peer pressure to family
demands, to church pressures, and the line has formed to tell us how, what,
when, and where to do what we do. We never ask why, possibly no one would have
the answer, or just be told, “that’s what is expected of you.” But not what you
expected out of life. Or God, as many men I know have sacrificed success in the
world for success with God and even their families. A great FICO score, big
house in the right neighborhood, a new car every year, and a vacation that comes
too late and is too short. Their priorities changed as life changed, and
suffered for it, never knowing what they missed, because of the pressures of
life. I fell into that for awhile, devotion to job and employer first, got to
pay the bills, but one day a lesson in priorities helped me organize mine, and
put them in the order where they belong. A simple exercise, to be repeated
often as needed. First, write down all the things you think are important as
they come to mind. My list today consists of seven or eight, the list gets
shorter as I get wiser. Then pray about them, and see where God wants them to
be, and be prepared for a shock. Here’s mine to critique or follow, yours may
differ. But the question to ask is always “where is Jesus in them?” This is
not at test, but an exam, that just might change your life.
Life is all about relationships, and the most important is the relationship
with God. Put him first, and all else is easier. We all think we do, but do we
really? Is he Sunday only, or maybe just Easter and Christmas? Is he even on
your list at all, just taking him for granted. Write it down, it looks
different in print. Consider your prayer life, would you talk to your boss like
that? Your wife?
Next is your family, wife and kids. With divorce rampant today even among
Christians, neglect God and your family suffers. Neglect your family and they
suffer. They are your first ministry, and the man who doesn’t take car of his
family is worse than an infidel. Love your family, everything OK at home, you
may be surprised at their viewpoint. Wives need husbands to be strong, kids
need fathers to lead in love, without Jesus, you are on your own.
Your ministry is next. Outside of church,and how you come across to
others. The commuters are a field of ministry that may be overlooked. The guy
in the next cubicle, the coach of your son’s baseball team. But where will I
find time in my busy schedule? Jesus told us “as you go preach the gospel.”
Your life will show more about Jesus than your words. Refer to family if you
have any doubts.
Where you fellowship and how is important. We are the church and should
support each other more than with a tithe. We miss out when we are in a
fellowship that is cold and where the spirit is not present or welcome. Just
because a neighbor or friend attends one place doesn’t mean you should. We can
get sucked into religion if we are not careful, and lose our identity in
Christ. Church can become a habit, a requirement, and not good when they only
miss you when you are gone. But don’t call. Ask God where to fellowship, he
knows better than us.
Next is the career you have chosen. Not your job, but using the skills God
has given you. In a field that you may never have considered. Successful
people have many talents, don’t neglect one just because it isn’t your strong
point. Babe Ruth started out as a pitcher. You never will feel fulfillment in
your career until you ask God how to use the talents he gave you. And don’t let
money be the criteria for a career, which is next on the list. The lifespan of
doctors is 57 years, ballplayers are never home and their careers last only 3+
years on average. The money may be great, but I learned the more money I made,
the more of a toll it exacted on me and my life. My family. I finally asked
myself “is it all worth it?”
And lastly on my list, your job. The place you spend more waking time,
where you see coworkers more than your family, it is last to me. I once turned
down a high paying job because of the overnight travel away for home. Their
pitch was the quality of life you can have on this salary, I wasn’t willing to
sacrifice my family for a bigger paycheck. Your job is important, but if you
are using it to pay your bills, you miss the fact that God supplies all your
needs via Christ Jesus. All. And I can attest to it, no paycheck from a job
going on nine years, but we live better, minister more, and enjoy life because
we put Jesus first. And he adds on all things to us. His plan, not mine.
Well, that’s my list. Trial and error before prayer has like the t-shirt
says “given me better stories because of bad decisions.” But God is faithful
when I wasn’t, when the job or church wasn’t, and forgives and we go on.
Someday we all look back at our lives, I don’t want to be bitter about missing
the time God gave me. It may sound selfish, but I want every blessing God can
give me. And he wants to and I try to let him. Let nothing stand between you
and the joy of the Lord, your daily commute may have become a dangerous habit
and you don’t know it. True security is found in knowing and following Jesus in
trust. Things to consider on your daily commute. And when your wife asks
“what did you do today?” you can answer getting my priorities straight. Now
that’s a testimony we all can share. At work, while commuting, at home. While
riding. Put Jesus first, and watch as he adds all things to us. He calls it
life, and we will never know how abundant it is until we trust him.
love with compassion,
Mike
Mike
matthew25biker.blogspot.com