Everything else—compared to Jesus—is not equal, is not another piece of the pie or another item on the list. It is garbage, compared to Jesus.
It doesn’t help and isn’t gain, but a loss compared to Jesus.
“I consider everything a loss because of the surpassing worth of knowing Christ Jesus my Lord, for whose sake I have lost all things. I consider them garbage, that I may gain Christ and be found in him, not having a righteousness of my own that comes from the law, but that which is through faith in Christ” (Philippians 3:8-9).
So if your kids are more important to you than Jesus, then they are your Savior, not Jesus. If your health or wealth are more important to you than Jesus, then they are your Savior, not Jesus. If having a good time or working up the career ladder or screen time or an alcohol buzz are more important to you than Jesus, then they are your Savior, not Jesus.
Either Jesus is everything to you and everything else is garbage, or everything else is everything to you, and that makes Jesus garbage.
You have everything you need to believe in Jesus. To gain him, find him, and live with a faith that makes you righteous because of him.
Jesus Christ created everything and gives you dominion over his created order.
Jesus Christ surrendered everything he had of his divine glory to humble himself and die for everything you ever do wrong.
Jesus Christ, risen from the dead and ascended into heaven, rules over everything and all of it must answer to him so that you don’t need to be afraid of anything.
Jesus Christ is before everything, in everything, and after everything yet everything he has and does is yours in one, small moment when you eat and drink of him in Holy Communion.
You need nothing other than Jesus Christ, when you believe that in him you have everything.
PRAYER: Dear Jesus, you are not just another item on the list or obligation on my calendar. You are more. You are my Savior and I believe that in you I have everything. You are my everything, Jesus. Help me live like it today. Amen.
FURTHER MEDITATION: Read Psalm 73:23-28. “Earth has nothing I desire besides you.”