There is an inherent element of sacrifice in the way we choose to live our lives. There is no such thing as “having it all.”

“No servant can serve two masters: for either he will hate the one, and love the other; or else he will hold to the one, and despise the other. Ye cannot serve God and mammon.” — Luke 16:13 KJV

What’s notable about this verse is that it doesn’t just refer to emotions, or the love and hate dichotomy. It also refers to a dichotomy that’s based on simple prioritization of our finite supply of time, energy, and attention. To “despise” did not only mean contempt, but it could also mean simply to think little or nothing of. Quite the opposite of holding to, it meant letting it go.

Every day, there is only so much I can accomplish, so much I can devote my energy and effort to, and even on a merely mundane tasklist, I can find it overwhelming to make these decisions. What gets done, what do I give up of all the things I truly wanted to accomplish.

Even more so, in things of the heart, there are things we give up in order to love God above all else and to live as holy, sanctified children of God. Do we devote our energy to things of the world or things of God? Do we spend time growing ourselves spiritually or only professionally?

There is nothing wrong with finding moments of rest and enjoyment or in working hard and learning and developing in our career. Even so:

“And whatsoever ye do, do it heartily, as to the Lord, and not unto men…” — Colossians 3:23 KJV

We should do all things, even the mundane simple things, even our entertainment, even our work, for our God and to please Him.