Thursday, October 28, 2010

What Are Your Priorities?

"Do not merely listen to the word, and so deceive yourselves. Do what it says."

-- James 1:22

Are you talking to me, God? Surely you meant someone else. I don't have time to take care of widows and orphans. I mean, really, I don't. I work hard. You want me to give some of my money away too? I can't afford to do that. No. Not me. It takes a lot to keep up my lifestyle.

Why do I have to be the one? I go to church most Sundays. I even tithe. Why don't you get on somebody that doesn't do that? I do my share. I do. Why should I have to give more than other people? It's just not fair.

And I don't know why I'm the one who's supposed to give my time to others. There are lots of people out of work or retired. Let them do it. They've got time to drive someone to a doctor appointment or coach an Upward Bound team. What do I know about kids anyway? It takes all I can do to network and advance my career. I don't have any energy left to give to anyone else.

I know I should spend more time reading the Bible. I try to read my Sunday school lesson every week. I don't always make it. It doesn't matter. I've heard it all before anyway. I grew up going to church and vacation bible school and all those things. I learned all the songs, complete with hand movements. I memorized a few key verses. I'm good. Really.

Yeah. I know you'd like to hear from me a little more, God. I try. Really I do. It's just that I get busy. I'm not much of a morning person. It takes all I can do to get up and get to work on time. I know. It's a little easier when I'm going out to do something fun. Still, I mean to talk to you when I get home. I'm just so tired. It's like the rollercoaster never ends. I wish I had just one day to do nothing. Wouldn't that be great?

What did you say God? Oh, that's why you said Sunday should be a day of rest. Yeah. You're right. I should do that. It does feel good, too, when I spend time when the kids at church or invite an elderly widow out to lunch. I probably enjoy it more than they do.

I know. I don't really need that new car I've had my eye on. Mine is only a couple of years old. It wouldn't hurt me to buy a bag of groceries for that family down the street. I hear the man lost his job and his wife has cancer. That's a tough road. Maybe I could pay the electric bill for that elderly man who lives near my parents. They say he's struggling to get by on social security.

I could probably carve out some time every day to sit with you, God. I miss our time together. I learned a lot when we were together. Come to think of it, I felt a whole lot less stressed when you and I visited together every day. I thought it was just that I was extra busy. Maybe too busy.

I think maybe I need to realign my priorities, God. Thanks for pointing that out. You didn't mean for the Bible to guide somebody else. You meant for it to guide me. Thanks for loving me enough to send Jesus to save me and thanks for loving me enough to not ever give up on me. Your child.