What Matters?

Matters…

What matters?

That question could be used as in “what matters are we considering?”  That is, what are the subjects or issues under consideration? 

Or, that question could be used as in “what matters in this situation?”   That is, what is sensible or serious as distinguished from that which is nonsense?

The matters themselves, the ones that are under consideration, could be big or small and everything in between.  So, to appropriately engage with them, we need right perspective because we can sometimes lose sight of which ones are important.  Take, for example, the religious leaders during Jesus’ time:

“Woe to you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! For you tithe mint and dill and cumin, and have neglected the weightier matters of the law: justice and mercy and faithfulness. These you ought to have done, without neglecting the others.  (Matt 23:23)

And sometimes we just need to learn to manage matters appropriately.  Read the advice that Jethro gave to Moses when he was taking on all the matters that needed decisions:

“Every great matter they shall bring to you, but any small matter they shall decide themselves. So it will be easier for you, and they will bear the burden with you.”  (Ex 18:22)

As for what matters, as in what may be sensible or serious for us, life itself can be impacted by what matters.  Moses knew this well:

“When Moses had finished speaking all these words to all Israel, he said to them, “Take to your heart all the words with which I am warning you today, which you will command your sons to follow carefully, all the words of this Law. For it is not a trivial matter for you; indeed it is your life. And by this word you will prolong your days in the land, which you are about to cross the Jordan to possess.”  (Deut 32:45-47)

And sometimes we can get caught up in the things that are not as sensible or as serious as others.  Paul wrote about this in his letter to the Corinthians: 

“Circumcision is nothing, and uncircumcision is nothing, but what matters is the keeping of the commandments of God.”  (1 Cor 7:19)

So how do we navigate through all the matters of life and move toward that which really matters?  While not an exhaustive list, perhaps these will help:

Know that sometimes it’s our heart that matters:

“But a Jew is one inwardly, and circumcision is a matter of the heart, by the Spirit, not by the letter. His praise is not from man but from God.”  (Rom 2:29) 

Know His will so that you can figure out what really matters:

“and know His will and distinguish the things that matter, being instructed from the Law,” (Rom 2:18)

Know that some matters are foundational to other matters:

“For the kingdom of God is not a matter of eating and drinking but of righteousness and peace and joy in the Holy Spirit.”  (Rom 14:17)

Know that sometimes even great matters may not matter:

“Lord, my heart is not proud, nor my eyes arrogant; nor do I involve myself in great matters, or in things too difficult for me.”  (Ps 131:1)

So, what matters?

Pray for wisdom and discernment because matters do matter especially when they are supposed to matter!