Scrolling through social media posts I often notice that many people love to repost graphics with political or religious sentiments sometimes they have both. Yesterday I ran across one that listed the supposed values of the person reposting. It had a political figure first then their party then gun rights then God. It made me start thinking about our priorities. Have we put our political affiliation above God? Have we put politicians above Jesus? The first three commandments have to do with God. This should show us what our priority needs to be.
Where are our priorities as Christians? When we repost something we all must remember that the person who made the graphic had a purpose. What is that purpose? On the surface it may seem political. Ok, so this person wants their person to be elected. We can all accept that as a campaign tactic. But who is deliberately putting God last on the list and getting good Christians to repost it? What is the true purpose? What ever the purpose we know what the result is. Eventually we will believe that politicians and party come before God, family and country.
If we get used to seeing and saying that our political affiliation is number one in our lives that will become our identity. By the way, family, friends, spouse or any other personal relationship was not even on the list. I wonder how the grand children of that the person that posted it think when they see grandma displaying her identity of a politician, political party and guns then God with them nowhere listed at all.
So, anyway, what do you want your priorities to be? What is your identity? I hope that you decide this for yourself and not put yourself in a box defined by some anonymous person making a graphic.
Each of us is designed by the creator with our own unique qualities, values and worth. The only person that can truly show us who we are is the creator.
Making Jesus your # 1 Priority
Turn off your devices today and spend five minutes listening to God. You don’t have to do anything accept sit quietly and focus on the moment, breathing. Your mind will try to wander to the past or future but God lives in eternity and the closest thing we can get to that is the present moment. One trick at figuring out when the present moment is would be to imagine a popcorn kernel popping. The pop moment is the present.
What do you think of when you first regain consciousness in the morning? What ever that thing is that is your priority, your number one priority.
What is the second thing that you think of? This is your next priority.
But seek first the kingdom of God and his righteousness and all these things will be added to you.
Matthew 6:33
What you think about becomes your treasure. Do you wake up in the morning regretting something in the past? Worried about the future? Nervous about your day? Starting your day with God allows you to take these issued to Him first thing. You will be amazed at the solutions you have before your feet even hit the floor.
Do you feel like someone did something to you that you didn’t like? Accept these feelings. Ask God to show you guidance on how to accept the feelings, take responsibility for the feelings then you can take an action.
If you can train your mind to think of God first thing in the morning and process your feelings you will begin the day with a clean slate. New things will happen and you will have the presence of mind to address them, accept them, and develop a plan of action.
Matthew 6:21
“For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also.”
We don’t like everything that happens but before we can clear our mind to come up with a plausible solution, we must accept them as it is. Sometimes things just are as they are. Maybe a family member or co-worker doesn’t act the way you want. If you can not control other people, you can accept their behavior. This doesn’t mean you condone it or have to like it. It does mean that you will not make excuses for them. You let them be what they are. Then you make a decision what to do about the behavior. You may decide to limit your time with that person. If the person asks you may decide to help him or her. But what ever action you decided to take will be a decision based on reality and not what you wished were true. It will feel scary at first but there is a new freedom in letting people be who they are there to be. Plus, they may end up surprising you.
The most important thing is to remember your priorities. What are they?
If you are a follower of Jesus Christ your number one priority is Him. (I hope that you are because He is the only path to true peace.)
Making God/Jesus your #1 priority is simply and the most rewarding thing you will ever add to your schedule.
As soon as you become conscious before you open your eyes seek him. Bring yourself into the present moment and focus on seeking him. Take deep breaths. Pray asking him for what you need and thanking him for all he has done. Tell him how wonderful He is and focus on the amazingness of God.
Spend about 20 minutes or however you want on this process. Start with 5 minute and you will want to stay in God’s presence longer the more you do it.
As soon as you open your eyes reach for your kindle or paper Bible and read something. The more you know what the Bible actually says the less likely you will be able to be fooled by clever and manipulative people who may make their living by exploiting the Bible. So, know it yourself. Put your salvation in no one else’s hands. Know for yourself what God has planned for you.
You have put God as the number 1 priority in your life and in your day. Now you are starting to think up all the excuses of why you can not do this. The only excuse that holds any water at all is kids. So, wake your kids up with a prayer and reading the Bible. Teach them the habit of making Jesus first place in their lives. You get yours and theirs at the same time.
In our modern era of constant TV and internet we can begin to feel lonely and isolated. Spend time with God and he spends time with you. God loves you and He wants you to feel his presence and know how much you are valued. He wants you to feel how much he loves you and wants to feel your love in return.
