Who or what are you putting first?
Life seems to get busier the older we get. We have so much to do and so little time, often finding ourselves having to put some things off for tomorrow. We wrestle with many genuine concerns each day and often neglect time for thinking of spiritual things. This is a serious issue and allows for priorities to be misaligned.
We all have different priorities making it difficult to place these concerns in any order of priority. We are commanded to work (1 Thess. 4:11-12). Paul says to Timothy “But if anyone does not provide for his own, and especially for those of his household, he has denied the faith and is worse than an unbeliever.” (1 Tim 5:8) Fulfilling these two commands alone raises many genuine concerns. Add raising children “in the training and admonition of the Lord” (Eph 6:4) to these commands, clearly not a task that should ever be left over for tomorrow, and complexity multiplies. These things, and many others, need to be given its allocated time whilst ensuring the correct priority is maintained. In Matthew 28:20 we read Jesus saying “teaching them to observe all things that I have commanded you”. We are to observe all things God commanded. We must take care not to over-react and apply the wrong priority to God’s commands, pitting one against the other.
In Luke 10:40-42 we see the story of Martha and Mary, a good example in terms of priority. Mary sat at Jesus’ feet listening to Jesus while Martha, her sister, was serving her guests. I am sure we will all agree that Martha was doing a good thing by serving her guests. Jesus points out that what Mary was doing was the correct activity given the setting. We must all learn to fulfil all of our areas of responsibility by putting each thing in its proper place of priority.
Let’s consider a practical example of over-reacting to a genuine concern. I am close to retirement age and suddenly realize that I have few years left to work. Providing for my household is commanded so I decide that the earning of money is my highest goal, becoming covetous to earn more to the detriment of my family or spiritual life. My God-given responsibility and genuine concern just became a problem because I haven't learned to set my priorities properly.
In Matthew 6:33 Jesus tells us that we must first seek the kingdom of God and His righteousness and all we need shall be added unto us. God does not expect more than what we’re able to do. God does expect us to perform all our roles (Father/mother, husband/wife, employer/employee etc.) well and still put Him first in all things. When there is an imbalance, we create stumbling blocks for ourselves.
Do you trust God enough to deliver on His promise “and all these things shall be added to you”? He has given us the top priority “seek first the kingdom of God and His righteousness”. Is Jesus your first priority?
Once again, we do not intend to ‘run’ your life for you. The choices are yours to make, but you need to know all of the facts to make a good decision. Do not just accept what has been written, read the scriptures for yourselves and see what God has said.