If you were stranded on a desert island and could take one thing (not person) with you, what would you take? Would it be your cell phone? Your computer? Your pillow? Your Bible? What you would take with you is very telling about what you value most in your life.
Exodus 20:3 and Deuteronomy 5:7 say “You shall have no other gods before Me.” Just two verses later in Exodus 20:5 we read “You shall not bow down to them or worship them; for I, the LORD your God, am a jealous God, punishing the children for the sin of the fathers to the third and fourth generation of those who hate Me.” God is pretty serious about anything coming before Him in our lives, yet we’re all guilty of allowing things to slip in there from time to time.
Matthew 6:21 says “For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also.” Where is your treasure? Where do you make the largest investment of your time, talents and resources? If you don’t like your answer to the question, don’t shoot the messenger; reevaluate your priorities and line them up in a way you can live with and be at peace.
Following passionately after Christ isn’t always convenient, easy or socially acceptable. Sometimes taking a stand for Christ causes you to become an outcast. In John 15:2a0 Jesus said “Remember the words I spoke to you: ‘No servant is greater than his master.’ If they persecuted Me, they will persecute you also.” But then He went on to say “Blessed are those who are persecuted because of righteousness, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.” [Matthew 5:10]. The things that matter most to us are the things we’re willing to endure ridicule for and stand alone, if necessary. We count the cost and determine its worth it.
What do you treasure? What matters most to you? What would you take on a deserted island with you? If Jesus was allowed to take one thing with Him on a deserted island, He would choose the cross. Would you?