Life Priorities

READY
“What good is it for someone to gain the whole world, and yet lose or forfeit their very self?"
Luke 9:25

SET
How would you answer the question Jesus poses in Luke 9:25?

What does it take to be successful in business, school, or in sports? Would you give up your time with family and with God or helping other people in order to move up in business, get all A's in school, or to be the best athlete on campus? Is that wise? Do you need to?

Most of us know deep down that sacrificing our relationship with the Lord, our family, or serving others for worldly success, money, fame, etc. is wrong. Yet many of us do that very thing. Look at what you spend your time on. We may say that God, our family, and helping other people are our priorities, but too often our schedule says something different.

It is important to understand that it is not an either-or proposition. In sports, we can be successful coaches and athletes and at the same time make our relationships with Christ, our family, and serving a priority.

I had the privilege of serving as varsity coach for 15 athletic seasons at Western Christain Middle School over the past several years. Every season we started out with five clear team objectives in priority order. The first objective was for each of us to end the season closer to God. The fifth and final objective was to win the championship. Placing our priorities in that order did not hurt us, it helped us. Following that model over those 15 seasons put us in the Championship game 12 times, winning 7 Championships.

However, don't trust that, trust God. Look again at what God teaches us. God's Game Plan for your life is a winning Game Plan for all of your life, not only some of it.

"So do not worry, saying, ‘What shall we eat?’ or ‘What shall we drink?’ or ‘What shall we wear?’ For the pagans run after all these things, and your heavenly Father knows that you need them. But seek first his kingdom and his righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well."
Matthew 6:31‭-‬33

If you build your success on worldly goals, your foundation will be weak and temporary. If you build your success on God, you will have a firm foundation to accomplish anything God wants you to.

GO
1. What does your schedule for this coming week say about your priorities?
3. How can you fit more time for God, your family, and serving others into your schedule this week?

WORKOUT
"Trust in the Lord and do good;
dwell in the land and enjoy safe pasture.
Take delight in the Lord,
and he will give you the desires of your heart."
Psalm 37: 3-4

"One of them, an expert in the law, tested him with this question: “Teacher, which is the greatest commandment in the Law?”
Jesus replied: ‘Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind.’ This is the first and greatest commandment. And the second is like it: ‘Love your neighbor as yourself.’ All the Law and the Prophets hang on these two commandments.'”
Matthew 22:35‭-‬40

OVERTIME
Lord, You know that I want to be the best I can be, but not at the expense of my relationship with You. Help me develop a schedule that reflects my desire to put You first. Amen.