Putting First Things First: A Journey to Spiritual Alignment

In our fast-paced world, it's easy to lose sight of what truly matters. We often find ourselves juggling priorities, chasing after fleeting pleasures, and forgetting to nurture our spiritual lives. But what if we took a step back and reassessed our approach? What if we put first things first?

The concept of seeking God first is not new, but it's one that bears repeating and deep reflection. Matthew 6:33 tells us, "But seek ye first the kingdom of God and his righteousness, and all these things shall be added unto you." This verse is surrounded by teachings about worry and trust, reminding us that when we align our priorities with God's will, everything else falls into place.

Consider the birds of the air and the lilies of the field. They neither sow nor reap, yet God provides for them. How much more will He care for us, His beloved children? This imagery serves as a powerful reminder that our worries and anxieties often stem from misplaced trust and skewed priorities.

But how do we practically apply this principle in our daily lives? It starts with a conscious decision to put God at the center of everything we do. Joshua 24:15 challenges us to make a bold declaration: "But as for me and my house, we will serve the Lord." This isn't a one-time decision but a daily commitment to orient our lives around God's will.

Living with this focus doesn't mean life will be free from challenges. In fact, James 1 encourages us to "consider it pure joy" when we face trials of many kinds. Why? Because these trials produce perseverance, maturity, and completeness in our faith. It's through these difficulties that we learn to truly rely on God and seek His wisdom above all else.

Speaking of wisdom, it's crucial to distinguish between godly wisdom and worldly wisdom. James 3 paints a vivid picture of the difference: wisdom from heaven is pure, peace-loving, considerate, submissive, full of mercy and good fruit, impartial and sincere. In contrast, earthly wisdom is often rooted in bitter envy and selfish ambition, leading to disorder and evil practices.

As we navigate life's challenges, we must keep our eyes fixed on Jesus, the author and finisher of our faith. Picture a boat captain guiding his vessel through stormy waters. The key to survival is keeping your eyes on the lead boat, following its path through the treacherous waves. In the same way, we must maintain our focus on Christ, allowing Him to guide us through life's turbulent seas.

This spiritual journey isn't meant to be traveled alone. Ephesians 4 reminds us that we are part of the body of Christ, each with our own role to play. As we grow in maturity and unity, we become less susceptible to being "tossed back and forth by the waves" of false teaching and deceitful schemes. Instead, we build each other up in love, becoming more like Christ in every respect.

However, many of us find ourselves in a spiritual middle ground. We seek God, but not first. We trust Him in some areas but not others. This leads to an "out-of-order" life, much like a malfunctioning ATM or vending machine. We can see the possibilities, but something isn't quite working right. The solution? Surrender every area of our lives to God, refusing to create "sin shelters" where we make excuses for disobedience.

To truly put God first, we must know Him intimately. He is omnipotent, omnipresent, and immutable. He is our comforter, guide, counselor, healer, savior, and friend. As we deepen our understanding of who God is, our desire to live for Him grows stronger.

This journey of seeking God first is not about perfection, but progress. It's about making a daily choice to trust Him with both the little and big things in our lives. As Luke 16:10 reminds us, "Whoever can be trusted with very little can also be trusted with much, but whoever is dishonest with very little will also be dishonest with much."

So how do we begin this journey of putting first things first? It starts with a simple yet profound act: calling on the Lord. Jeremiah 29:12-13 promises, "Then you will call on me and pray to me, and I will listen to you. You will seek me and find me when you seek me with all your heart." This is not a passive pursuit but an active, whole-hearted seeking of God's presence and will in our lives.

As we embark on this path of spiritual realignment, we may find ourselves climbing mountains we never thought possible. We might discover a newfound freedom and friendship with Jesus that transforms our identity. Like the lyrics of a powerful song, we can declare, "I am a child of love, I found a world of freedom, I found a friend in Jesus."

This journey of putting God first is not always easy, but it is infinitely rewarding. It requires us to examine our hearts, confront our misplaced priorities, and make a daily commitment to seek God above all else. As we do so, we'll find that everything else in life falls into its proper place.

So today, let's make a conscious decision to seek God first. Let's surrender our worries, our plans, and our desires to Him. Let's trust that as we align our lives with His will, He will provide for all our needs and guide us through every storm. In doing so, we'll discover a life of purpose, peace, and true fulfillment – a life lived in harmony with our Creator and Savior.