(Matthew 6:33)
One of the easiest traps
to fall into, and one of things that I pray about daily, is giving my best
effort in every area of my life. For most of us, a big portion of our life
is our job or school. We tend to spend the majority of our time and energy
either involved in our work or school. How many days do you come home from
work or school and are exhausted? You have literally given everything you
have, and your tank is empty. The problem is, in addition to your work or
school, you have a spouse, children, family, friends (maybe only one or
possibly all) that are part of your life and need to be nurtured. How often
do we come home and we just have nothing left for our wife or husband? Or
how many times are we too busy to spend that quality time with our children
we need to? The fact is, while we often give our best efforts, give the
best of what we have at work or school, those we love most in this life get
the leftovers. Recently I did a Devotional on working at our job or at
school as unto the Lord, doing our best since we are His representatives in
the job site or classroom. So I am NOT talking about not giving our best
efforts when we are working or in school. What I am talking about is the
balance in our life that is so critical.
The order of our priorities is simple. Our relationship with the Lord has
to be first since who we are and what we are in this life flow from that
relationship. Then comes those people God has given us to share this life
with...our spouse, children, family, close friends. Next is our job or
education. Now I realize that I may make some people uncomfortable today.
Talk to the Lord about it. Why do we give so much at work or at school, give
the very best we have, and give very little at home.....and usually nothing
at all to the Lord. That is upside down! When our priorities are upside
down, our lives tend to get upside down. Marriages get into trouble because
husbands and wives don't work at it. Marriage is NOT a joint living
arrangement, but a bonding, a blending of two lives into one, with Christ at
the center. Everyone is so busy with "work", that many marriages are little
more than convenient living arrangements. Is it any wonder then, why without
the intimacy and the daily nurturing, that so many end up in relationships
outside the home? The really stupid thing is that if you put the same
amount of energy and effort into your spouse that you end up putting into
someone else, you would be amazed at how wonderful God can make the marriage
experience. Because of "work", your children don't get the best you have,
they get little bits and pieces here and there. Other family members and
friends also get whatever is leftover. The Lord???? Maybe a "hello" as you
leave in the morning or a "prayer" as your eyes close at night.
Nobody is more guilty of this than I am. I have written this Devotional
several times in the last months, but never sent it out. As with all
battles, we must have a battle plan. Being a very organized person as many
of you are, here is how I have worked at keeping my priorities straight,
making sure that I was giving my best efforts in all of the areas of my
life. First, is my daily walk with Christ. Whether you are a pastor, in
full-time ministry, a homemaker, a student, or whatever else you may do in
life, THERE IS NOTHING MORE IMPORTANT THAN YOUR DAILY WALK WITH CHRIST.
Especially for those in ministry, if you don't have a real, intimate, daily
walk with Christ, you have NO ministry. Your ministry flows from that
personal relationship. I spend the first 15-20 minutes every morning in
prayer, then another 20-30 minutes in the Word. I HAVE to start my day with
the Lord for many reasons, but practically, if I don't do it then, it will
never get done. That is reality. I schedule my day to include time with my
wife. It may sound cold, but I operate best under a disciplined schedule.
I make sure we eat dinner together, we do something out of the house
together, and spend time each day talking. Even when I don't want to, I
HAVE to talk with my wife. Husbands and wives HAVE to talk to each other
each day, and not just about the daily business. Communication is critical
to a relationship. Talk with the Lord and talk with your wife. Sandwiched in
between is our work or school.
How is it possible to have the energy, to give our best to the Lord, at work
or school, to our spouse, kids, family, and friends? My friend, in our own
strength it is impossible! We can only do it in the strength the Lord gives
us. We have to be aware how important it is to keep our priorities in line.
When we get our priorities out of line, we will get into trouble in one,
two, or many areas of our life. It is just a matter of time. I love you,
care about you, and will be praying for you today. I realize that this is a
very difficult subject for many, and will actually involve much conviction
from the Holy Spirit, since you are so entrenched in your day-to-day lives.
It is not too late to make changes, and God will help you to get your
priorities in order. God, our loved ones, work/school. If we keep our
priorities straight, the Lord will help us to always give our best effort in
EVERY area of our life.
