First Things...

C. S. Lewis is supposed to have said something to the effect that you can't get first things (priorities) accomplished while focusing on secondary things. This is truth that I've learned both in my personal/professional life and also in the lives of those who populate my world. A large amount of time has been spent in my life trying to discern which of the many competing "things" are those first things. I suspect that is true for you as well. Parenting a newly minted adult (18 years of age) has been a struggle over the last 18 months as I've tried to lead him to decide on what is first in his life and what he'd like to pursue. After those months of hard slogging, we seem to have come to a place where he has come to a decision on what's first...only time will tell if it is "right" for him or not. In my sermon from Sunday I reflected on the need to set G-d first and have no other gods before. It was a sermon directed at focusing on what we're most devoted to...what rules our lives both as individuals and communally. I was reflecting on Psalm 16 and also on Mark 1 where it is important to set your priorities each day with the most important part not changing. It is so easy in our lives to create mini-gods or idols (power, prestige, money, possessions, etc) and lose sight of the first thing that is the only G-d to give life. All of our idols simply steal away our time, energy, resources, spirit and give nothing in return. How often have you found it to be true that "work won't keep you warm at night" or "you can't take it with you"? Pursuit of worldy things instead of "first things" will always leave you wanting and wishing. This week, consider what's first in your life - what you're most devoted to or focused on. Is it G-d or is it something that has become a god in your life? If you are focusing on lesser gods, or letting those rule your life, then you are living a life run by secondary priorities. They may seem important, but in contrast to the "first" priority of G-d and what G-d wants for you to be and to do, there's no question that these things are far less important than they appear. Put G-d first in your life and keep G-d there. If you do, the rest of your life will be filled with meaning and purpose and will take care of itself. Peace for the journey, Dan