2011 – 1st things 1st : I’m pretty saturated with clever ideas for the year, but the dance of those last two digits has bubbled under the surface for months now. You see, my life is full of goals and good intentions. More exercise, a better diet, more time with the family, a new “God” project. All good things, maybe with a tinge of vanity and self-indulgence, but still very worthy pursuits. Nothing wrong with that, and I’d bet more than one of those are near the top of your list?
CS Lewis had this to say about our priorities : “To sacrifice the greater good for the less and then not to get the lesser good after all–that is the surprising folly. . .You can’t get second things by putting them first; you can get second things only by putting first things first”
He was paraphrasing Jesus, who told us that God knows every need we have, to the minutest detail. Our part is simply to seek Him first. And then second things would follow. But what does this mean to you and I? More effort? Trying harder? Making it work? No, no and no.
In the next couple of days, I’d like to encourage you to find a few minutes on your own, preferably outdoors. Away from everyone and everything else. There, ask God what your “first thing” is. Even if it is a whisper carried upon the wind, may you be filled again by the wonder of being here. That you were made to walk with Him in the cool of the garden. Your primary calling is friendship with God, communing with Him. Your secondary calling is what you will do “for Him”. Don’t make the second thing first.
There are other ways to express this. Our “doing” flows from our “being”. The benefits of “having God” pales into nothingness when confronted by the awesomeness of “knowing God”. However it is phrased, the message does not change.
First things first – I’d love to hear what that looks like for you.
Glory to Him
WS