Make It Count
After my final year at Florida College camp, one phrase has been on my mind. Sturdily duct-taped to the door of my cabin was a little reminder each time we walked out. It caught my eye immediately and has stuck with me ever since. In dark bolded letters it read, “MAKE IT COUNT.” No matter the time or place, I kept recalling those three words and soon realized that it coincides with my favorite verse in the Bible. “Whatever you do in word or deed, do all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks through Him to God the Father” (Col. 3:17). That is the apostle Paul's way of saying, MAKE IT COUNT. Making it count is about thinking, in all situations, is this something that can be done in the name of Jesus?
Right in the middle of the Sermon on the Mount is embedded the secret to making this life count. In Matthew chapter six, Jesus reveals five fundamental rules that the Christian must implement in order to MAKE IT COUNT. Many chase after this phrase in vanity. They decide to pursue riches and power, exalting themselves above all else. But in Matthew six the secret Jesus reveals suggests the opposite.
Storing. Matthew 6:19-20. “Do not store up for yourselves treasures on earth, where moth and rust destroy, and where thieves break in and steal. But store up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where neither moth nor rust destroys, and where thieves do not break in and steal; for where your treasure is, there your heart will be also.” Fame and fortune are not to be sought after if we desire to make this life count. Our concern should not be about what we possess, but what possesses our heart. If our possessions are kept in the fold of God, then we can trust that He keepeth our hearts also. MAKE IT COUNT by storing up treasures in heaven.
Seeing. Matthew 6:22-23. “The eye is the lamp of the body; so then if your eye is clear, your whole body will be full of light. But if your eye is bad, your whole body will be full of darkness. If then the light that is in you is darkness, how great is the darkness!” As windows to the soul, our eyes naturally absorb our surroundings. If our eyes are clear, they absorb and fill the soul with light. However, if our vision is obscured by the treasures of earth, then our eyes are unable to absorb light and therefore fill the soul with darkness. What keeps our vision clear? “Thy word is a lamp unto my feet and a light unto my path” (Psalm 119:105). The only way we can see clearly is by focusing on the word of God. Don't allow the treasures of earth to obscure your vision and fill your soul with darkness. Focus your eyes to see through the translucent pages of scripture as the bold words of God illuminate both the soul and the pathway to life eternal. MAKE IT COUNT by seeing clearly the lighted pathway to heaven.
Serving. Matthew 6:24. “No one can serve two masters; for either he will hate the one and love the other, or be devoted to one and despise the other. You cannot serve God and wealth.” Making it count is about surrendering our full devotion to the Master. God requires all your heart, all your soul, all your strength, and all your mind (Luke 10:27). What does the world require? The world asks for just a little bit of both. If Satan can tempt you to give just a portion of your service to the world, then he can subtly lead you down the broad way that leads to destruction. It is impossible for us to serve both God and mammon. Choose to serve God. He will lead you in the narrow way that leads to life. MAKE IT COUNT by serving the one true Master and Him only.
Staying. In verse 25 Jesus encourages His disciples to stay content in all circumstances, freeing themselves from the anxieties of this world. He explains to the disciples that God will care for them just as He cares for the birds of the air and grass of the field. Worry strangles the soul. It chokes out the very word which illuminates our path and turns our soul to darkness. Lay your worries at His feet and live by the words engraved in the very currency that we become so concerned about, “IN GOD WE TRUST.” MAKE IT COUNT by staying content and trusting that God will provide.
Seeking. Matthew 6:33. “Seek first the kingdom of God and His righteousness and all these things will be added unto you.” This is the profound conclusion to Jesus' lesson about how to MAKE IT COUNT. Seek first the treasures of Heaven rather than the passing pleasures of this world. Seek first the righteousness of God's word that it may clear your vision and illuminate your soul. Seek first to serve in the kingdom of the one true Master as you submit your full devotion to His righteousness. And seek first to stay content as you cast all your worries at the feet of the God who sees each sparrow fall. Seek ye first. Do all in the name of the Lord. MAKE IT COUNT.
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