Priority check
We are a society that is obsessed with being busy because busyness is often synonymous with success and importance, which is the status we all crave. From perfecting our homes, to trying to establish a great career, to raising our families, to sports games for our kids, to keeping up on all the trendy TV shows. It's not hard to cram a day full of SO MANY THINGS. All which sap our energy, use up our precious hours, and leave us feeling exhausted. And when we are tired the easiest thing to cut out of our life is time for God. "I'm exhausted tonight. Skip evening devotion and prayers and just get the kids to bed. You know this will just add an extra 15 minutes to the bedtime routine."
"I'm burned out this week. The last thing I have time for is go say hi to my lonely, elderly neighbor."
But when we read the Bible, the truth shines the light on much of the things we invest in during the day. I think if we are honest with ourselves, we find that much of what we give ourselves to are things that hold no eternal value. These things, though not bad in and of themselves, can very quickly squeeze God out of the place he deserves in our lives. I find it's too easy to let our priorities get out of whack. Life can easily become mostly about me with a little bit of God and churchy stuff thrown in there when we have the time.
However, we need a reality check from the Bible.
God's not okay with playing second fiddle to ANYTHING. He's not okay with being squeezed in at 10:30 at night for a quick shout out prayer before our eyes shut in exhaustion. He is Lord of the universe. He is creator of all things. He is the very reason we take each breath. He is the reason we have hope in this life and for eternity. He is everything.
And he didn't leave us here on earth with free reign to do whatever we want. No, he wrote the Bible so that we could know who he is and what our life here is supposed to be about.
Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your strength and with all your mind; and, Love your neighbor as yourself. - Luke 10:27
As Jesus and his disciples were on their way, he came to a village where a woman named Martha opened her home to him. She had a sister called Mary, who sat at the Lord’s feet listening to what he said. But Martha was distracted by all the preparations that had to be made. She came to him and asked, “Lord, don’t you care that my sister has left me to do the work by myself? Tell her to help me!”
“Martha, Martha,” the Lord answered, “you are worried and upset about many things, but few things are needed—or indeed only one. Mary has chosen what is better, and it will not be taken away from her.” - Luke 10:38-42
"For the pagan world runs after all such things, and your Father knows that you need them. But seek his kingdom, and these things will be given to you as well.
Do not be afraid, little flock, for your Father has been pleased to give you the kingdom. Sell your possessions and give to the poor. Provide purses for yourselves that will not wear out, a treasure in heaven that will never fail, where no thief comes near and no moth destroys. For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also." - Luke 12:30-34
Is adjusting our lives so God is the top priority easy? No way. Is it comfortable? Often not. But that is the reality of living as a Christian. It's one that you will never succeed at through your own strength or determination. But that's what is amazing. God calls us to a radical life lived with abandon for him, but he also promises to be with us. To give us everything we need and to strengthen us on the days and nights when we are weary. Keep pressing on. Keep letting go of the thing the world lives for and keep God as the number one priority in your life.
Do you not know? Have you not heard? The Lord is the everlasting God, the Creator of the ends of the earth. He will not grow tired or weary, and his understanding no one can fathom. He gives strength to the weary and increases the power of the weak. Even youths grow tired and weary, and young men stumble and fall; but those who hope in the Lord will renew their strength. They will soar on wings like eagles; they will run and not grow weary, they will walk and not be faint. - Isaiah 40:28-31
