Keep Your
Priorities Straight
May 24, 2004
Success now days isn’t measured simply by how well
a man does in one area of his life, but by how well he does in
many areas. Areas like work, family, recreation, community
concerns and church. Most of us could make it in one area, but
how can we succeed in all of them. If we focus on one, we
sacrifice the others. It’s like juggling not only three
balls—but ten balls. And sometimes the ball we ignore, the one
we drop, is the most important one.
It’s crucial that you gain control of the many
balls you have in the air so you can manage your life. In order
to do that, you need to start at the core of your life—your
private life. Ultimately, everything else will flow from your
private life. Everything! If this area is out of control, the
rest of your life will be too. If this area is under control—it
will bring balance and harmony to everything you do.
Moses laid out the choice the people of Israel had
to make. He said, “I have set before you life and death,
blessing and curses. Now choose life, so that you and your
children may live, and that you may love the Lord your God,
listen to his voice, and hold fast to him. For the Lord is your
life.” (Deuteronomy 30:19-20.).
Did you catch that last phrase? “The Lord is your
life.” Everything else flows from him like water from a spring.
A love relationship with God is more important than any other
single factor in your life. Regardless of your circumstances, if
you’re cultivating a love relationship with God, the other areas
of your life will fall into balance.
How do we do that? One crucial element involves
reading the Bible on a daily basis. When we read the Bible and
God shows us something—that doesn’t lead to an experience with
God. It is an experience with God. We should seek that every
day. We should try to have an experience with God every day by
reading his Word.
Before Joshua led the Israelites into the promised
land God gave him a crucial command that carried with it an
impressive promise. In Joshua 1:8 God said, “Do not let this
Book of the Law depart from your mouth; meditate on it day and
night, so that you may be careful to do everything written in
it. Then you will be prosperous and successful.” What an amazing
promise! And best of all, it’s one you can benefit from.
Is there more involved in cultivating a love relationship with
God? Of course! But nothing is more important than Bible
reading. It’s as crucial to your relationship with God as
conversation is to your marriage. After all, the way God
communicates with us today is through the Bible. It’s his letter
to you.
As Mighty Men we’ve all committed to reading the
Bible 3-5 minutes a day. If you don’t know where to start, then
commit to read a chapter a day. You might read a chapter from
Proverbs one day, a psalm the next and a chapter from the New
Testament the next five days of the week. If enough men choose
to juggle their responsibilities by first focusing on their
relationship with God we may see revival sweep our land, one
man, one day at a time.
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