Evaluating Priorities

Many use the New Year holiday as a time to evaluate priorities. When we do, we have to ask ourselves what is important to us. Our family? Our friends? A job? The community? Or is God the most important reality?

Jesus did not minimize family or friends or daily life. Remember that He restored sick children to their parents, He provided food for hungry people, and He blessed a wedding with His presence and with supernatural provision.

Yet Jesus made it clear that family and friends—or jobs and communities—cannot be most important. God must be pre-eminent.

He told a young man to sell everything he owned and then he would have treasure in heaven. (Mt. 19:21b NKJV) He told the disciples that anyone who prefers family members is not worthy of Me. (10:37b)

It seems too harsh when not understood in the light of grace. But if we put God ahead of all else, if He is first in our lives, through His provision we have more love to give others. In fact, we have more than if we had not put God first.

When preparing for His death, Jesus said, For whoever desires to save his life will lose it, and whoever loses his life for My sake will find it. (16:25)

Jesus should always be our example, and He never subverted His priorities. He abandoned everything to His Father's will and brought salvation to all who receive him.

Originally published December 31, 1992.
Picture: Antique ceramic angels. Photo by Solveig.

Thanksgiving to God

Although Thanksgiving Day originated with Christians who depended on God for survival, many Americans today overlook Christian aspects of the holiday. A day full of food and football are the often the plan.

Scripture helps us look beyond our natural inclinations because it lifts us beyond our natural mindset—and the psalms are a good place to start in Scripture. The settings of the psalms are varied—and they differ greatly from both the Pilgrim’s setting and our setting. But they have power to change the focus of our hearts.

Many of the psalms emphasize God’s provision. Psalm 65 begins with, Praise is awaiting You, O God, in Zion . . . O You who hear prayer. . . . (v. 1a,2a NKJV) Then, Your paths drip with abundance. (v. 11b)

If we do not know He listens to prayer, there’s a good chance we miss out on much of God’s abundance. Today is a day to offer thanksgiving to God—and to believe He hears.

Originally published November 20, 1992.
Picture: Como Park Convervatory, St. Paul, MN, 2009. Photo by Solveig.

A Place of Springs

A psalmist wrote, Blessed are those whose strength is in thee, in whose heart are the ways of them. (Ps. 84:5 KJV) The NIV translates ways of them as a pilgrimage. The psalmist was referring to the Israelites who made a pilgrimage or a journey to observe festivals in Jerusalem. They were blessed as they traveled because their hearts were set on worshipping God.

Today we do not have to make physical journeys to worship—we make spiritual journeys. Jesus taught this when He said, a time is coming when you will worship the Father neither on this mountain nor in Jerusalem . . . God is Spirit, and his worshipers must worship in spirit and truth. (Jn. 4:21,44 NIV)

Nevertheless, the psalmist’s words still apply, because even a spiritual journey requires determination. There will be obstacles, things that hinder or distract us from focusing on God. In fact, we learn the pilgrims travel through the Valley of Baca. . . . (Ps. 84:6a NIV) and valleys refer to trials.

But when a heart is set on worshiping God, His people experience refreshing even when they walk through valleys. Baca referred to springs or a well of water that God provided in the valley. God's waters provide sustenance. Although the journey might be difficult, God’s people emerge refreshed, restored and renewed. They go from strength to strength. (v. 7a) as they move forward.

Originally published August 19, 1988.
Picture: Wildflowers, Glacier National Park, 2009. Photo by Solveig.

Oil Poured Forth

A widow struggled to meet financial obligations after her husband’s death. Finally, she had nothing left to her name but a jar of oil and she was about to lose her children—creditors demanded they be turned over as slaves to pay her debts.

But the prophet of God named Elisha had a word for the widow. He told her to borrow as many vessels as she could. Then he told her to shut the door upon yourself and your sons, and pour into all these vessels . . . Go, sell the oil and pay your debts, and you and your sons can live on the rest.” (II Kings 4:4b, 7b RSV)

She obeyed God’s Word through His servant Elisha. As she poured her small amount of oil into the many vessels, the oil increased and she filled every one of the vessels she had borrowed. God gave the widow a miracle and supplied all her needs.

Our resources might also be small. But when our inner life is poured forth—lived in response to God and His Word—He brings an increase. Current needs will be met and we will be able to live on the rest.

Originally published July 31, 1981.