The beginning of a new school year is always exciting…and hectic! Many students and parents struggle with the return to class schedules, sports schedules, meetings and deadlines because of too much “fun in the sun” during the summer months. For some, laziness has set in and is hard to shake—laziness in eating habits, laziness in exercise habits, even laziness in our faith. Along with the start of school comes the beginning of our new church year and, while chaotic, it is also a great time to set and maintain the proper priorities for living out our faith in the midst of our busy schedules.
The word priority is defined as “the fact or condition of being regarded as important,” and the priorities we hold dear reveal several truths about our life. First, our priorities acknowledge our attitudes, and our attitudes are often confirmed by what comes out of our mouths. Jesus said that, “what comes out of the mouth proceeds from the heart, and this defiles a person” (Matt 15:18). The mouth reveals the true nature and attitude of one’s heart. What does your mouth reveal about the priorities of your heart?
Additionally, our priorities characterize our conduct. Too often, we approach a situation with the objective of getting what we want. We are convinced that our opinion or our idea is the only right decision. We fail to ask God what He wants or what His best would be, and we forge ahead, disregarding the consequences. When our objectives are driven by our priorities and not by God’s priorities, then our conduct is—in most cases—unbecoming and destructive to our witness as Christ followers. We are to conduct ourselves in “a manner that is worthy of the gospel of Christ,” firmly united under Christ’s Lordship and leadership (Phil 1:27).
Lastly, our priorities determine our direction. It has been said that if you want to know something “about” a person, then observe the books they read and the company they keep. The same could be said about a person’s priorities in life. The priorities a person holds dear will determine the direction of their daily lives. If one holds in high regard the priority of becoming rich, that person will devote copious amounts of time and energy to that endeavor, even sacrificing his/her health or time with family. If one holds the priority of obtaining a career, then every educational decision, internship, or job pursuit will be made in accordance with that priority. For parents who hold the priority of their children attaining a certain goal (e.g., becoming a gymnast, cheerleader, swimmer, NFL player, doctor, teacher, et al.), then the decisions the parents make for that child will direct that child and their family toward those priorities.
For believers, this becomes an issue when our priorities determine a direction that steers us away from the path that God has planned for us. Solomon warns us that we are to keep our eyes focused on the path ahead and to turn away from any path that leads toward evil (Prov 4:25-27). Similarly, the author of Hebrews tells us that we are to run the race of life with fortitude, “fixing our eyes on Jesus, the author and perfecter of faith” (Heb 12:1-2).
A person’s priorities expose their true nature—who they really are on the inside. If we choose to set our priorities in life outside the bounds of the Word of God, disregarding the true and genuine worship of God, and without striving to fulfill the work of God, then we are setting ourselves up for failure (2 Tim 3:16; Prov 30:5; John 4:23; Heb 10:25; Matt 29:19-20; 1 Thess 5:11). As the fall of 2017 unfolds, let’s strive to keep the main thing, the main thing—sharing Christ, making disciples, and serving the Kingdom—by first seeking God’s plan and purpose…and His righteousness (Matt 6:33).
Brent Thompson
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