“Therefore, since we are surrounded by such a great cloud of witnesses, let us throw off everything that hinders and the sin that so easily entangles, and let us run with perseverance the race marked out for us” (Hebrews 12:1, NIV 1984).

Recently returned from a doctor’s vacation, all my kids and grandkids in a beach house on the Gulf Coast. Had a wonderful time. In the old days, one-week vacations were really rough, requiring two days to wind down, two days of relaxation and then the three days of growing stress, looking toward all the work pile-up I would face when I returned. I do it differently now and take about one hour each day on my computer to keep up, thus relieving the pressure of being so far behind when I resume my work. I’m not recommending my solution to anyone, but on the drive back from Florida, we passed the sign of a dining facility named “It Don’t Matter.” I thought about my workload in the week ahead and felt relaxed enough for the sign to describe my future.

It’s good to know that sometimes it don’t matter.

Such an understanding is especially helpful when Jesus calls.

But, I’m too busy, Lord. It don’t matter. “…my yoke is easy and my burden is light” (Matthew 11:30, NIV 1984).

But, it will cost me, Lord. It don’t matter. “If anyone would come after me, he must deny himself and take up his cross and follow me” (Mark 8:34, NIV 1984).

But, I’ve already done so much. It don’t matter. Take it from Paul, “…Forgetting what is behind and straining toward what is ahead” (Philippians 3:13, NIV 1984).

But, what about my reputation? It don’t matter. “All men will hate you because of me, but he who stands firm to the end will be saved” (Mark 13:13, NIV 1984).

But, it may put my family at risk. It don’t matter (when you are sure I am calling). “Anyone who loves his father or mother more than me is not worthy of me; anyone who loves his son or daughter more than me is not worthy of me” (Matthew 10:37, NIV 1984).

But, I haven’t heard you call me toward something new. It don’t matter. “There’s plenty of old things in my Word you need to get right before I add the new. In fact, getting the old things right is a new thing for you and will glorify my name far beyond most new missions,” is what I imagine God would say to me. “Do not merely listen to the word, and so deceive yourselves. Do what it says” (James 1:22, NIV 1984).

But, it’s impossible. It don’t matter. “With man, this is impossible, but not with God; all things are possible with God” (Mark 10:27, NIV 1984). I especially like what my pastor, Mike Day, said about this one today, “If Jesus is telling me to do something that He knows is impossible for me to do, it must mean He’s going to do it.”

Jesus matters.

And when He calls, if anything stands in the way of our following, it don’t matter.

Dear Father,
Help me to discern what really matters for Your kingdom and Your glory.
Amen