Top Priority

God, family, friends. These are my priorities - in order. Or are they in order? Anytime I think about or write down my priorities, I put them in this order. I always put God first because I know that that is the arrangement that my priorities SHOULD be in.

I would like to think that if it came down to it, I would choose God over everything else in my life. I long to please my Savior by living a life that reflects the fact that He is my very top priority no matter what the situation may be.

However, sometimes, I fail to live my life in a way that shows others that God is my top priority. In fact, I often get all of my priorities mixed up. I can't say that I haven't put my family at the very top of my priority list nor can I say that I haven't put my friends first in a situation where God was clearly calling me to boldly stand up for Him.

Think about these examples:

1) How often do you get up and leave a very juicy gossip session because you know that God is disappointed that you are taking part in such a situation?
2) How often do you remind your children as you disciplining them that not only have they made you unhappy but they have also grieved the heart of God?
3) How often have you and your spouse decided not to go out with a group of friends because they are seeing a movie that goes against everything that you believe in?
4) How often do you get up and have your quiet time with God before you make breakfast, lay out clothes, and get ready for work?

I must confess that I have found myself in all of these situations. So often, I worry what others will think instead of remembering that the only person that I truly long to please is my Father in Heaven. God loves us so very much and longs for us to live a life that is pleasing to Him and will ultimately result in our lives being a living sacrifice for Him.

Luke 12:34 says, "Wherever your treasure is, there your heart and thoughts will also be."

So, where is your treasure?

Is it in what others think of you?
Is it in how much money you have?
Is it in the job promotion that you have worked so hard for?
Is it in your spouse?
Is it in your children?

Or can you truly say that your treasure lies in knowing that your Heavenly Father is pleased with the way that you live your life each and every day?

We cannot help but put our focus on the things that we love the most. It is our nature as human beings. Therefore, if we love Jesus more than anyone or anything that is here on earth, we will not be able to turn our focus away from Him. On the other hand, if we love anyone or anything more than Jesus, we will turn our focus from Him and place it on these things.

Think about these things as you go about your daily routines today. Remember, that God is your treasure and ask Him to help you to turn your focus toward Him rather than toward worldly things that will not bring us any eternal reward. For if our focus is on Him, all of our other priorities will fall into place.

Some Things to Think About:

1) What are your priorities based on the way you live your life and not based on the order that they should be in?
2) What are some things that you can do to make sure that God is your top priority?
3) How you can you live your life in a way that makes it evident to others that God is your top priority?

Words of Worth:

"Those who fear the Lord are secure; He will be a place of refuge for their children." Proverbs 14:26

"Seek His will in all you do, and He will direct your paths." Proverbs 3:6

"Your Heavenly Father already knows all your needs, and He will give you all you need from day to day if you live for Him and make the Kingdom of Heaven your primary concern." Matthew 6:32

"Wherever your treasure is, there your heart and thoughts will also be." Luke 12:34