First Things First

I don't know about you, but some times I get overwhelmed. So much to do, so little time. We greet one another and ask "How are you?" and the reply is "BUSY!". That's a great response, if, in fact, we're also productive.  But have you noticed, being busy and active doesn't necessarily mean getting things done? Even having a TO DO list can seem more of a hindrance than the help it is meant to be.

Sooner or later we have to prioritize; do first things first. But which items can wait? I've heard it said that we can get so focused on the immediate that we oversee the important. We spend our day putting out fires and end up exhausted and unfulfilled.

That's what happened to the Hebrews who returned home to rebuild the temple. They began with zeal and purpose, but soon were overwhelmed with items on their TO DO list. Eventually they lost their vision and became indifferent to their first priority; existing to glorify the Lord (through the rebuilding of the temple) and to make Him the focus of daily life.

They began making excuses: "The job is to big." "We don't have enough (supplies, money, manpower) to do the job right." "No matter what we do, it won't be as grand as what it used to be, so why even try?"  The result was a tainted effort. They didn't give their full attention or best efforts into the rebuild project.  Instead, they focused on their own homes and ended up abandoning the very reason they had returned to Jerusalem.

Homes at that time were built of stone.  In Haggai 1:3 we can see that the people took time to panel the walls of their homes, which was a "royal" luxury seen in Babylon and intended for the temple of God. The prophet was there to remind them of their priorities and call them back to the important job at hand.

We all need reminding sooner or later. Have you ever had the 'perfect' day planner? Or how about the one that teaches you to prioritize using A B C and 1 2 3 to keep everything straight?  I color code mine based on where my efforts are being placed.  Home, Kids, Prayer, Work, Study, Ministry, Hobbies, etc.  At the end of the week I can see where I put the bulk of my efforts, and which area of my life has been pushed to the back burner based on the amount of color on the page. I'm ashamed to admit that often it's been my personal time with the Lord and my husband whose colors are waning on the pages.

With so much to do - how do we prioritize?  Well, a wise man once set me straight. I can hear his words echoing in my head:  "God, Family, Job, Ministry. In that order. Always.".

As a matter of fact, I started this blog post at 8am this morning and at 8:15 I got a text to meet my daughter-in-law and pick up my grandson for the day.  Oh.... I was just getting on a roll with the whole paneling thing the Hebrews were doing....

But my blog is Ministry, which springs from my time spent with the Lord earlier this morning.  And as I type this... the hubs is saying: "take a moment and have lunch with me". Roll or not - it's time to take a break to spend time with the ones I love.  Plus, you gotta eat, right?

So why these priorities, and why in that order 'always'?

Priority #1. God
THE God of the universe. The One who created everything from nothing* . God Almighty, ruler of heaven and earth. The God who numbers our days and allows our next breath. Yes, that God. As Christ-followers, we are to put Him first. Did I mention He's a jealous God and wants our whole heart, not a divided one?

Priority #2. Family
This is whom God has given us to share our lives. Parents, grandparents and siblings, later spouse children, grandchildren, if we are so blessed, to enrich our lives.  Yes, family comes next.  Next to Christ's life, surrendered for us, our family is our greatest gift from God.

Priority #3. Job
This is the work God has blessed us with in order to provide for our family.  He tells us to put our hand to the plow and work like He, alone, writes our paycheck!  In return we are given what we need to support the family and bless Him in return by being good stewards of all our blessings.

Priority #4. Ministry
We are told to 'go out into all the world and share the good news'.  Whether that is in a foreign country, our workplace, school or neighborhood - each of us has been charged with the ministry of the gospel. It might be working in a soup kitchen, volunteering for a local charity, mentoring a child or simply being kind to a person in need.

If we keep these four simple priorities in check, we can live our life in perfect balance. I heard Patsy Clairmont declare that she knows there is a perfect balance out there... she's seen it as she swings from one extreme to the other!

If we put our job in the number one slot, we become workaholics and neglect our family and we've put God in the back seat. Anytime we move the order around, something gets off kilter. If we work in ministry, it's possible to confuse the job you've been hired to do with the personal ministry you've been called to do. The biggest danger is thinking your ministry IS your God time.  I can tell you from experience, it is NOT.  Ministry is POURing out.  God time is being refilled, refreshed, renewed.  You can not continue to constantly pour out  - without spending time at the Source to be refilled.  Simply stated: You can't give, what you ain't got!

So - the next time you sit down to write a TO DO list, consider first your priority list. It makes it easier to say yes to the things that have eternal value, and no to the things that fill our time, but empty our souls.

But first, be concerned about His kingdom and what has His approval.
Then all of these things will be provided for you as well.  Matthew 6:33

* Genesis 1:1  In the beginning God created the heavens and the earth.
The Hebrew word is bara.  Strong's Concordance #H1254
Always attributed to God creating something new and perfect, in some instances from nothing (ex nihilo)