Take a few minutes with me and reflect on the things that mean the most to you. You can even sit and make a list if you like (I'm such a list person!). If you do, you'll be looking at all the important things in your life.
So, what's on your list? Your loved ones, most likely. You may have included your home, career, pets (yes, bulldogs), activities, keepsakes and other special possessions. Mark is on my list, of course. I adore him. My heart still flips when I catch him looking at me across a room full of people. Aleeta, Adam, Alan and Andrew – they're my heart. I've included other family members, friends, my staff and my "kimmies". I think of my webshow and my writing career. I wouldn't want to give any of them up! I count them as blessings from God. Speaking of God, He's on my list, too.
Many of you may have put God on your list as well – He doesn't ask us NOT to care about those things that are precious to us, but He does want to come before them.
I love what Augustine in his Confessions said, "He loves thee too little who loves anything together with thee." The "he" he's referring to is us and the "thee" is God. Think about it. Augustine doesn't say, "He loves God too little who loves anything MORE than God," but rather "He loves God too little who loves anything TOGETHER WITH God."
Wow! I really love God a lot. But I look down at my list and think about where I spend my thoughts, my time and my attention. I look at my busy datebook and daily calendar and I know what really ranks in my life. Even though God is on my list, He's not often at the top.
In Exodus God gives us the Ten Commandments. The very first commandment is ... "You shall have no other gods before me." A "god" in scripture refers to any object of our worship or adoration. Idolatry is used to describe any attempt to put something above God, whether it's a stone statue or a spouse, a graven image or a growing bank account ... or a delicious pound cake. Nothing should rival God in our hearts and lives.
Does that mean we shouldn't put time and effort into the other areas of our life? No! He wants us to love and cherish them. But what's FIRST in our hearts? What do we trust in? Count on? Turn to for decisions? What are our goals based on? Do we have an eternal perspective?
Sometimes we are so busy mapping out our next move that we don't give God the room to lead us. Do we put more effort into earning and saving than into seeking God's will for our lives? Are we counting on our psyche and support groups to give us ALL the internal strength to overcome our problems? God wants to bless us. He wants to help us in our areas of weakness. But He also wants us to turn to Him to get it.
"My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness."
I Cor. 12:8-10
"Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind and with all your strength." Mark 12:29, 30
Comments
gingerbread said,
May 31, 2011 9:06 AM
Gingerbread
Thanks Kim for your "Food for Thought". You encourage my heart by speaking words of Wisdom. You are such a blessing!
Nanny said,
July 21, 2010 3:39 PM
I found your website quite "accidentally". In my heart I knew it was what I had been looking for. It was several days later that I understood why. God is so faithful to me in spite of me. Your encouragement comes from the Lord. That's why it immediately rang so true. I don't normally join online stuff, but I am now a kimbenson.com member, and look forward to weight loss success as well as spiritual growth. Thanks for being faithful to God in sharing this ministry.
jailes said,
July 15, 2010 10:47 AM
Wow! Thanks Kim , once again, thanks!
* * * * * *
Jillie says:
make it an OH MY STARS day!!!
cezale said,
July 15, 2010 8:12 AM
Kim, Thank you. I feel Our Lord speak through you to us. What a blessing you are to all of us who struggle with weight loss! I Praise God for the awesome work He is doing in your life and mine. Chris
TruBrit said,
July 14, 2010 5:59 PM
I ask for God's help every morning and thank him before I go to sleep every night. I keep a gratitude journal and list at least 10 things to be grateful for every day.
Kim, your book, this website and all the members make my gratitude list every single day.
I knew this time would be different when I read in your book "In my anguish I cried to the Lord and he answered by setting me free" Psalm 118:5. It totally resonated with me and I say it to myself all the time. I then read all of the Psalms and was amazed how helpful they are. They have always been there in my Bible but I saw them in a new light, so thank you and thank you Jesus.
Jo.
Anonymous (not verified) said,
July 14, 2010 3:15 PM
Kim- you are fearfully and wonderfully made, and I KNOW that you have been so successful this time in your lifelong weight loss struggle because it is HIS will that you do so- to be an example to us all.
Thanks so much for not being afraid to bear witness to what OUR awesome God has done in your life, (and is doing in mine as well.) To Him be the glory forever and ever, Amen!!!!
Patti Z said,
July 14, 2010 10:07 AM
Thanks for the reminder, Kim.
3rd step prayer (12-step program):
God, I offer myself to Thee; to build with me and to do with me as Thou wilt. Relieve me of the bondage of self, that I may better do Thy will. Take away my difficulties, that victory over them may bear witness to those I would help of Thy Power, Thy Love, and Thy Way of life. May I do Thy will always! Amen
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