First Things First

by Pastor Craig on November 23, 2011

I came across this C.S. Lewis quote that I thought might encourage you about priorities.  "When I have learnt to love God better than my earthly dearest, I shall love my earthly dearest better than I do now.  Insofar as I learn to love my earthly dearest at the expense of God and instead of God, I shall be moving towards that state in which I shall not love my earthly dearest at all.  When first things are put first, second things are not suppressed but increased."

We all understand that we are to put God first in our lives, but practically many times we fall short.  What a great reminder that as we pursue God first and with our best -- our relationship with our spouse does not suffer, rather is significantly enhanced.  When God is first, we will be fine tuned by the Master, as a result we can fulfill all that God has planned for us in our relationships with others.  So if a man truly loves his wife, he will pursue God wholeheartedly.  If a wife truly loves her husband, she will pursue God relentlessly.  When we put first things first, then God prepares and equips us to glorify Him in all the rest of our pursuits.  This is true in relationships, in relation to time, money & possessions.  God needs to be first in all these areas, but it starts with our quiet time with the Lord.  Immerse yourself in His Word to know Him, understand Him and in full obedience follow Him - thus putting Him first.  As you input the Word in your life, the Word will be likely to come out of you in your words, actions, attitudes and thoughts.  Make a plan to study His Word and be disiciplined - allowing Christ to be first in your life.