My PRIORITIES for a number of years were tied to financial security - getting a job that paid well, taking the next step on the career ladder, paying the bills, getting money set aside for the kids' college education and funding the retirement account. About 10 - 15 years into the journey of marriage and family, those priorities were creating a lot of stress and someone suggested the idea of balance - to balance work and family. Good concept but that did not work either. Then my heart was turned to relationship - a personal, passionate and growing relationship with Jesus the Christ. That got the wheels engaged. Today the priority is my relationship with Jesus the Christ. The second priority is learning to live that relationship in marriage. And the third is reflecting that relationship in family and beyond. Everything else follows those three.
The Word on PRIORITIES is:
"No one can serve two masters; for either he will hate the one and love the other, or he will be devoted to one and despise the other. You cannot serve God and wealth. For this reason I say to you, do not be worried about your life, ... But seek first His kingdom and His righteousness, and all these things will be added to you." - Matt. 6:24-25, 33-34
Scripture says nothing about balance. The instruction is to "seek first His kingdom and His righteousness," and all else will follow. This starts with a personal relationship with Jesus the Christ which reconnects us in relationship with the Father and empowers us with the indwelling of the Holy Spirit. With the foundation of the right priority, Jesus, we can learn to live that relationship in marriage and reflect it in family and beyond.
Prayer guide: Lord, I struggle with right priorities. There is a lot going on that makes demands on my time. The devil's best schemes keep me operating in crisis mode while he tells me that I can balance it all. Thank You for clarity through Your word and comfort through time in prayer. Strengthen me in the full armor of You to stand firm against the devil's schemes. Help me grow in the spiritual disciplines of daily time in scripture, prayer, worship and study, that I may grow in relationship with you, learn to live that relationship in marriage and reflect it in family and beyond. Amen.
A faithful father prioritizes a personal, passionate and growing relationship with Jesus the Christ, lives that relationship in marriage and reflects it in family.
