March 2, 2016

Put God First

Teach me your way, Lord,
that I may rely on your faithfulness;
give me an undivided heart,
that I may fear your name.

-- Psalm 86:11

We are all very busy people. We’ve got jobs and activities, people we love, houses to care for. We have a life. Where does God fit into that life?

Ah, there you have it. God fits into the extra moments -- if we have any extra moments. And that’s not the way it’s supposed to work. God is supposed to be first with our time, our money, our love. No wonder we are stressed and tired all the time!

What would happen if you reordered your priorities? What would your life look like? You might have a little less time for watching mindless television. You might have a little less money for gadgets you’ll grow tired of before the month ends. You might have more energy, more time for people who matter. And you might finally find the peace you crave in this stormy life.

I ran into a sweet friend the other day. She rarely comes to church anymore. Her husband isn’t a believer and Sunday is a day for sleeping late and doing nothing. She doesn’t want to make the effort to get up and head alone to church nor does she want to face the guilt of choosing to spend time away from him. I get it.

I wonder sometimes what would happen if she was on fire for Jesus. Would her husband see that passion and want to know what it was all about? If her attitude changed, if she viewed church attendance as more than just another chore, would he view Jesus a little differently? So often we use someone else as an excuse to make a choice that isn’t what God would want. We suffer for it, inside, where the Holy Spirit fills a believer’s heart. We are lesser because we made the wrong choice.

We also suffer when we don’t make time for prayer. I can’t even imagine not talking to God. I laugh that He probably wishes I would shut up sometimes. He is my best friend and I tell Him everything. Sometimes it is the small things, like a beautiful sunset or a cute little calf. Other times it is heartbreak or great joy. He hears it all because that’s what relationship is all about. And that’s what prayer is -- communication with God. It is fundamental to a strong relationship.

What are your priorities? Is God an afterthought in your life? Put God first and watch the rest of your life get easier as your attitude shifts to what is really important.

Saturday, June 9, 2012

Take Time For Others

Don’t think only about your own affairs, but be interested in others, too, and what they are doing. -- Philippians 2:4

It’s just so easy to get caught up in our own lives. Unless something impacts us directly or gets shoved in front of us, we put it off to another day. Then another. And another. We’re busy people, after all.

Too busy most of the time. I don’t know about you, but there are days when I long for a day off. Not a day spent doing “fun” stuff, though that would surely be okay. Just a day off with nothing to do and no one to please.

It’s a dream. I know that. We’re all too busy rushing through life to ever take a day off. And sometimes we’re too busy rushing through life to notice the people around us. To visit. To care. To take a few moments and focus on someone else.

Yesterday afternoon I went to the hospital to visit two dear ladies. I didn’t have time. I have orders overdue and demands on my time. My car isn’t feeling well and getting there and back was iffy. But I went anyway because it was what I felt called to do.

And I’m so glad I did. It’s amazing how caring about others can renew your spirit. But isn’t that how it always works? We give to others and we end up getting the blessing.

It doesn’t have to be visiting those in the hospital. Some dear friends are active in our church sports programs. I think they have more fun than the kids. Sure, there are children in need of role models and a foundation of faith in Christ. They get that -- right along with the laughter and plenty of time to tell my friends about themselves.

Another man spends every Tuesday evening at the county jail. He laughs that the first two years he participated in this ministry, he begged God to get him out of it. Now 20-plus years later, the inmates look forward to his visits. No section of the jail is off limits because he’s there to offer Christ to anyone and everyone. And they know that.

Caring for others. Getting out of ourselves and reaching toward those who are hurting or in need, those whose lives are in shambles or those who just need someone to listen. Everyone wants to believe that there’s someone out there who cares about them.

We are a busy people. And, frankly, our society seems to grow more and more self-involved every. But we have a choice too. We can choose to reach out and touch the lives of those around us. We can choose to show the love of Jesus to others, making time, taking time, to care about someone besides ourselves.