Important things, determining the things that really matter to God requires time and effort. It necessitates time listening to God. When I fail to take time to listen, I pay the consequences. Do you struggle with the same problem? My guess is that you do, at least from time to time. Let’s examine our priorities together. I would love to hear your comments!
2MefromHim Devotional
Important Things
But do not neglect the more important things. Luke 11:42 NLT
The busyness of life has a way of entrapping us. I don’t know anyone who is immune. A friend recently used the example of an overweight suitcase causing the airline to levy huge extra fees. Life is busy and full of important things, but there is a cost when we fail to distinguish the good from the best. This is what the Pharisees did in making their rules more important than God’s priorities.
When my children were younger, every moment of my day was scheduled. I had to accomplish a lot while they were in school. I was up, dressed and out the door early and sometimes completed my work in time for a little bit of leisure. I led a weekly Bible study, and preparation was primary on my list. The scriptures and questions became my quiet time, my prayer time took place the first moment I had to myself each day.
With no children at home, and health problems that often dictate how my day begins, I have become lazy. My time is no longer scheduled. I never complete my housework. I often neglect exercise because of pain. However, leaving the important things undone makes me feel stressed. I pay the price.
Likewise, my quiet time often falls prey to a warm shower, a leisurely breakfast while perusing Facebook, and the latest news. Often the day is half-gone before I take time for the Lord. Perhaps I would do my exercise, accomplish my housework, finish my daily writing, and greet my husband happy and stress-free if I kept myself to the same strict schedule.
More important, I would go through my days with God’s priorities foremost in my mind, with His encouragement that I could push through the pain and accomplish my exercise and household chores. I would be more conscientious about making contact with family members, touching base with friends in need—meeting God’s goals for my day.
When I fail to keep God’s priorities first, other areas of my life suffer. When life becomes a struggle, I need to reevaluate my priorities and determine God’s order of importance for my time. When I do so, my pain, my stress level, my frame of mind and heart are in line with His because I choose the best over the good.
© Copyright by Norma Gail Thurston Holtman, February 17, 2017
About the author:
Norma Gail is the author of the contemporary Christian romance, Land of My Dreams, winner of the 2016 Bookvana Religious Fiction Award. A women’s Bible study leader for over 21 years, her devotionals and poetry have appeared at ChristianDevotions.us, the Stitches Thru Time blog, and in “The Secret Place.” She is a member of American Christian Fiction Writers and Romance Writers of America. Norma is a former RN who lives in the mountains of New Mexico with her husband of 40 years. They have two adult children.
Connect with Norma:
Website: www.normagail.org
Amazon Author page: http://www.amazon.com/Norma-Gail/e/B00ILHXBAK/
Book trailer: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KQbZIoC_JSE
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/AuthorNormaGail
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Twitter: https://twitter.com/Norma_Gail
LinkedIn: http://www.linkedin.com/pub/norma-gail-thurston-holtman/42/71a/3b2
Book Links:
Amazon: http://www.amazon.com/Land-My-Dreams-Norma-Gail/dp/1941103170
Lighthouse Publishing of the Carolinas: https://lpcbooks.com/norma-gail/
Barnes & Noble: http://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/land-of-my-dreams-norma-gail/1119606864?ean=9781941103173
4 Comments
What a thoughtful meditation. As a Christian writer and husband and caregiver to my disabled wife, busyness in the terms you offer here often overtakes priority. Yet my time with our Lord is the keystone for creativity for within its chambers comes a passion for the lost in darkness. That remains my priority, no matter the busyness of the day.
Our church is about laying new avenues to those in darkness. We know full well that darkness will fight back, eager to defend its slaves to sin. It is through Christ we will look for the victory. It is that deliberate focus then, on things not of this world, that holds me to the task, even though a moment or two is deflected for a burden of service.
Your advice is taken well and well said. Best to you as you minister on. Try it. Bravely go down a new avenue with the Lord.
Thank you for your affirmation and encouragement! It is greatly appreciated! The busyness of life is a constant battle and one we cannot afford to give in to. God bless you in your caregiving!
Love this Norma. I believe we all struggle with this. Sad, isn’t it? The Lord of the Earth knows us by name and desires our fellowship, yet we often prefer mundane routine instead. Thanks for your transparency.
It is sad. It seems the more available time I have, the more tendency I have to waste it. This was a lesson for me and I started journaling my quiet times again this week to help keep myself more accountable.