Soul Care - Priority
by Mary Elsbury
In thinking about priorities, I am reminded of a motto used by Chicago Bears great Gale Sayers: “The Lord is first, my friends are second, and I am third.” The world is a noisy place and there are so many choices we must make every day. Taking an honest look at priorities is hard.
My church is going through a sermon series called “Rhythms – Making Space to be with God.” Over the course of five weeks, we are looking at spiritual practices designed to connect us as disciples to Jesus. Practicing a Sabbath, slowing down, keeping things simple, making time for silence and solitude, and having a Spirit-led life are five key priorities. These “rhythms” should be as natural as brushing our teeth or exercising but we often get off beat because of the world around us.
To develop these and other spiritual rhythms, I had to ask myself the question: am I too busy for God? Sure, I volunteer at church, I work for a ministry, I make and send cards to offer encouragement – but what do I prioritize to keep my spiritual tank filled? Am I too distracted to stop, listen and drink in the truth of Scripture? What are my top priorities?
The dictionary definition of “priority” is “the fact or condition of being regarded or treated as more important.” Synonyms: prime concern; first concern; most important consideration; most pressing matter; primary issue; matter of greatest importance.
Stephen R. Covey, in his bestseller The 7 Habits of Highly Effective People put it this way: “As a longtime student of this fascinating field [of life and time management], I am personally persuaded that the essence of the best thinking in the area of time management can be captured in a single phrase: Organize and execute around priorities.”
As a Christian, I need to decide what I consider is a matter of greatest importance. Over the years, I have found many Scriptures that help shape my spiritual rhythms and design my priorities.
God is my #1 Priority. Matthew 6:33 tells us “But seek first the kingdom of God and his righteousness, and all these things will be added to you.”
Love God and do His will. Romans 12:2 encourages us with “Do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewal of your mind, that by testing you may discern what is the will of God, what is good and acceptable and perfect.”
Make time to pray and trust. Philippians 4:6-7 states “Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God. And the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.”
Love God and others. Matthew 22:37-38 states, “And he said to him, ‘You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind. This is the great and first commandment. And a second is like it: You shall love your neighbor as yourself. On these two commandments depend all the Law and the Prophets.’”
The Bible is filled with people that sought the wrong things in life and rejected God. Frequently it is difficult to choose between the world and Christ’s teachings. Christ stated in Luke 14: “If anyone comes to Me and does not hate [love less by comparison] his father and mother, wife and children, brothers and sisters, yes, and his own life also, he cannot be My disciple. And whoever does not bear his cross and come after Me cannot be My disciple.” Jesus didn’t mean we should stop caring for our family, rather He was simply teaching that we are to put Him first in our lives.
This week, make some space to listen for the voice of God over the shouts of the world. Be open and aware of His presence. Seek His guidance on making God your priority. It might be a painful process, but one that has eternal rewards.
