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.

Suffer Persecution?

We usually associate persecution with physical abuse or imprisonment—perhaps by an oppressive government. But persecution covers a wider range of activities. A dictionary definition of persecution includes harassment and to trouble or annoy constantly.

Developing the inner strength to stand when under persecution—even subtle varieties—is an important part of the maturing process. Peter had personal experience with persecution when he wrote to encourage young Christians. He said, always be ready to give a defense . . . for the hope that is in you . . . For it is better, if it is the will of God, to suffer for doing good than for doing evil. (I Pet. 3:15b,17b NKJV)

A thought to consider: If we do not hold our own against subtle persecution, would we hold our own against severe physical abuse or some other type of rejection?

Originally published December 29, 1989.
Picture: Fall foilage, West Fargo, 2008. Photo by Solveig.

Focus on the Heart

Jesus said, If any one chooses to do God’s will, he will find out whether my teaching comes from God or whether I speak on my own.” (Jn. 7:17 NIV)

Some people quickly identify Jesus as the source of salvation. Peter boldly confessed, You are the Christ, the Son of the living God.” (Mt. 16:16) But there are others who have difficulty accepting Jesus as God’s ultimate revelation.

Jesus understands the human dilemma. While we might try to convince someone of truth, Jesus does not answer on an intellectual basis. Jesus’ method for changing an opinion is to bring about spiritual insight. He asks people to consider if they desire to do God’s will. The heart—not the mind--either leads a person toward or away from truth.

The focus must be on the heart. Our thought processes will rationalize whatever the heart wants to believe.

Originally published March 11, 1983.
Picture: Flowers, Addis Ababa, Ethiopia, 2008. Photo by Solveig.