First Things First

Every morning I have to decide what to do first. I mean besides the trip to the necessary room. Do I plunge into my exercise routine, or do I stop and meditate? Do I pause to thank God for whatever sleep I managed to receive and ask for His guidance throughout the coming day? I know I need to exercise now or it won’t get done. But first things first. Right?

Sometimes we don’t have much choice. We have to rush off to work or to a doctor’s appointment. But wouldn’t the day go better if we took a moment to center our thoughts on the Lord? I don’t necessarily mean Bible reading. I do better at that a little later in the day. But thinking on a verse of scripture will help put things in perspective so that we make wise choices. And not just choices about what to do, but what attitudes to foster and what to thank God for.

If we are consumed by our jobs or constantly thinking about how to get ahead financially, we are guilty of being conformed to the world’s thinking. What does God say about priorities? “Do not be anxious, saying, ‘What shall we eat?’ or ‘What shall we drink?’ or ‘What shall we wear?’ For the Gentiles seek after all these things, and your heavenly Father knows that you need them all. But seek first the kingdom of God and his righteousness, and all these things will be added to you” (Matthew 6:31-33, ESV).

Sometimes even putting acts of good service first is not the priority that the Lord would like us to have. For example, we have this account. “Now as they went on their way, Jesus entered a village. And a woman named Martha welcomed him into her house. And she had a sister called Mary, who sat at the Lord’s feet and listened to his teaching. But Martha was distracted with much serving. And she went up to him and said, ‘Lord, do you not care that my sister has left me to serve alone? Tell her then to help me.’ But the Lord answered her, ‘Martha, Martha, you are anxious and troubled about many things, but one thing is necessary. Mary has chosen the good portion, which will not be taken away from her’ “ (Luke 10:38-42, ESV).

Sometimes it’s hard to sort out what should be put first, isn’t it?