Where Are Your Priorities?

Fall is fast approaching. While it seems that this is the time of year that nature slows down, leaves are soon to be changing, animals are preparing for the winter, and even the breeze seems to be blowing softer. Yet, for most humans, fall is the beginning of the busy season. School is starting, work projects are ramping up to prepare for the holiday sales, and people are already making plans for the holidays. With how fast paced we can get, it is good to take a lesson from nature and remember to slow down. Now is the time that we need to make sure our priorities are aligned correctly.

“42 At daybreak, Jesus went out to a solitary place. The people were looking for him and when they came to where he was, they tried to keep him from leaving them. 43 But he said, “I must proclaim the good news of the kingdom of God to the other towns also, because that is why I was sent.” 44 And he kept on preaching in the synagogues of Judea.”

Luke 4:42-44

This may seem like a strange verse when discussing priorities, until you take a closer look at it. This section of scripture occurs not long into Jesus’ ministry, and He has recently healed a multitude of people. Because of this, He has had quite the following of people seeking Him out. Yet, this passage shows that Jesus goes to a secluded place, away from the crowds and all the craziness. While not directly stated, we know from Jesus’ behavior in the garden before He is arrested, that He would remove Himself in order to spend time speaking to His Father; this is something that I believe that He is doing here. Before interacting with His responsibilities, Jesus is ensuring that He has that one on one time with God the Father. Only then does He go about the purpose that He was sent for.

This is something that you and I need to keep in mind. Before getting bogged down with all of our responsibilities, we need to ensure that we are spending time with God. We should be aiming to have our relationship with God be our top priority, before anything else.

Seek the truth and encourage one another,

Alex