Do not love the world or anything in the world. If anyone loves the world, love for the Father is not in them. For everything in the world—the lust of the flesh, the lust of the eyes, and the pride of life—comes not from the Father but from the world. The world and its desires pass away, but whoever does the will of God lives forever. 1 John 2:15-17

Identifying an object of affection is important.

I remember well the transition between my college working life and beginning of my post-college career. In college, my internships paid very little and we incredibly time-consuming. I spent hours working for pennies and lived on a shoestring budget. When I was offered my first job in my field, I saw a massive pay increase. Possibilities of owning a home, buying a nice car, eating out, and vacations flooded into my mind. Great perks of an adult life, but all too easily they consumed my affections. I learned a valuable lesson from an older respected man in my life: pay attention to the objects of your affections.

The way men spend time, money, and any resource is comparable to the wind across a body of water. As it blows, the smallest vessel moves irresistibly. John instructs his audience not to be fond of the world. What is beloved by the man of God is that which directs his life. Being contented with any possession or position is like riding in a barrel toward a waterfall; you will go over the falls. The word of caution is not meant to be a killjoy; rather it is exposing the reality of direction. Enjoy the world, but love the Father. For one will end, and the other is eternal. One will quench desire, and the other will dry up. Pay attention to your desires and direct them toward good things.

DO THIS TODAY: Fast from one thing of the world that you love.