What Are Your Priorities?
I was recently on a Zoom call with pastors from Missouri and Louisiana who see more people hungry for the gospel and not worrying about short services. They, like us, are seeing God move through salvations, baptisms, healings, and miracles. One of these pastors saw fifty people turn their lives to Christ over the weekend. But, in wanting that – we have to wait upon the Lord and make room for Him to move and not rush through a program or schedule.
Remember, God moves where He pleases, on phone calls, in line at the grocery store, or going for a walk during these beautiful days. Ministry isn’t just in a church building but wherever we are in life. We must be willing to listen in a moment and know to walk others through offense and issues. We have to allow God to pivot and shift us. We can’t be too set on a schedule that we miss God’s prompting to move. We have to allow for a margin (of time) for Him to show up.
It helps to have somebody to minister to you in difficult times. Chat GBT can’t do that. AI is coming in crazy ways but can not replicate the genuine person – the love, character, eye contact, and hug. Online services can’t do that either. Making room for God to operate and move in our lives is essential. We have to do that with our families too. Some of our most beautiful times are when we sit and do not rush at the table. That intimacy and trust in families is a game-changer. Pastor Jess fiercely fights for that in our family and I am tremendously grateful.
Slow down and come to the table! Make room and be intentional with your family. Allow for a margin of time in your life. I remember watching an older acquaintance in college who had an incredible schedule but didn’t build relationships. That’s easy to do – meeting after meeting…and your head is spinning. We can only run at that pace for a short time. I am high-energy and want to go, but I must recognize when to say no.
How do you prioritize in your life?
Mathew 6:33 tells us.
“But seek ye first the kingdom of God, and his righteousness; and all these things shall be added unto you.”
God should be number one.
Your spouse should be number two if you have one.
Your children should be third.
Then everything else follows.
When children are placed before marriage, many people find themselves in a strange place when the kids move out and unfortunately leads to divorce at an alarming rate. Listen, if you raised kids, you did all the hard work; why divorce now? You have to take time to cherish and know each other so you don’t lose that love.
Prioritize your time with God, then do the same for your spouse and kids.
When your life revolves around your kid’s accomplishments, you can be left empty in a marriage. Don’t flip-flop your priorities.
As a pastor, there are many valuable things and people to focus on, but I need to understand my availability and timeframe. For example, I am taking a Master’s class to equip me for growth now and in the next season. That is a priority for me right now. That is for this season. Why? Not because I want a degree or accolades, but because I must prioritize and deepen my well of understanding for where I am going.
I decided not to take a class for the same reason. I knew the church needed me in that season. We have to prioritize accordingly to the season and callings. When we have a guest coming to the church, I prioritize him. I prioritize our Friday Worship nights. On Sundays, we prioritize the Word of God being delivered. Identify your priorities. You WILL be tested in this.
Here are a couple of tests that you will walk through. The question becomes, how do you respond?
1.) The time test. ( We talked through this above.)
2.) The word test. People who puff you up or tear you down – how you respond is your character.
3.) The motivation test. What stirs you up? Honoring God, or do you do it for others around you?
4.) The wilderness test. We are all taken there during times of our lives. It’s to develop our character and test our motivations. Deuteronomy ch 8:2 teaches us,
“Remember how the Lord your God led you all the way in the wilderness these forty years, to humble and test you in order to know what was in your heart, whether or not you would keep his commands.”
5.) The Patience Test. If you pray for it, you will be tested in it. That’s when you will have someone come into your life and test your patience.
6.) The Discouragement Test. That means something went differently than you thought it should. How do you handle that? If you always win, you will appreciate things only occasionally. When you walk through humbling, discouraging things, it can humble you. Huge understanding.
7) The Warfare Test.
8) The Self -evaluation Tests.
But remember in all of this what the Lord your God did; He leads you to humble and test your heart. Things go well in our lives, but they also go poorly for testing.
Do you prioritize winning? Ok – that’s a carnal viewpoint. Winning can be a worthy goal, but if it’s your number one goal, you may skip the priority of God. He’s first, even if He teaches you a lesson in loss.
For me, it’s God first, my spouse, and my kids, then other priorities that change with the seasons. But the top three NEVER change. The others have an ebb and flow that you learn from.
I hope this speaks to you. Life is more about rhythm than it is about balance. In some seasons, you may be running with your kids; in others, they live their own lives.
Seasons are important. Go deeper with God through them!