My Views On . . .

The Other Side

I know not many people are actually reading this (shout out to the ones that actually are), but I'm going to do a little devotional type thing.
I don't know how many of you have seen The Greatest Showman, but I absolutely love it. In it is one song called "The Other Side," during which the main character, P.T. Barnum is trying to persuade Philip to join him in business.
I was thinking of this song earlier today, and I made a connection to my own relationship with God that I was hoping you could relate to.
The lyrics I am talking about go like this:

Philip:
If I were mixed up with you, I'd be the talk of the town
Disgraced and disowned, another one of the clowns

P.T. Barnum:
But you would finally live a little, finally laugh a little
Just let me give you the freedom to dream
And it'll wake you up and cure your aching
Take your walls and start 'em breaking
Now that's a deal that seems worth taking
But I guess I'll leave that up to you

Philip:
Well it's intriguing, but to go would cost me greatly
So what percentage of the show would I be taking

Think about that for a moment. I imagine myself as Philip and God as P.T. Barnum. I feel like there are times in my life when God is calling out to me, showing me how beautiful his gift is and how much better it would make my life, but instead of seeing the beauty, I want to know what I can get out of it, that is, riches. What material object will I get? Will I be famous? Rich? Adored by everyone? Could getting "mixed up" with God cause me to be the "talk of the town"? What percentage of the show will I be taking?
God has laid before me a chance that I only can achieve through him. This eternal life will give me so much more than material things here in this life; however, I want change to happen right here, right now. I want some money or success to show for it.
If you have seen the movie, you know that that is not always the cause. If it weren't for Philip's wise decision of saving his money, they would be broke at the end of the movie. Now put yourself into P.T. Barnum's shoes. You thought that by sticking with God, you were going to be successful and rich, but instead, you're broke. You do what God wants you to do, yet you have no money. God doesn't promise that you will lead a life of luxury. On the contrary, what need would we have of him if we needed nothing? Even so, I sometimes except God to give me everything I ever wanted. I see the Bible verses about all of the "riches" he will be giving us, and instead of remembering that that will come in Heaven, I expect to be reward on Earth. That isn't to say that he doesn't provide for us; he just does not always give us everything.
So what about you? Are you expecting God to give you loads of money and fortune in this life, or are you okay with pleasing him from wherever he needs you?
I hope I've given you something to think about, and even if I haven't, it was nice to be able to share my thoughts with you.
Thanks