Keeping The First Things First

Hello Baysiders! Hope all is well in your souls during this Summer! What a difference a year makes. Last Summer was plagued by pandemic lockdowns and restrictions. Today we are freer to enjoy the season, so lets have a good attitude and be grateful for our progress from the pandemic.

I recently heard a radio station stating that airlines are busier than ever, how its hard to get tickets because people are packing the flight schedules to make up from last year’s stay-cations due to Covid. Restaurant spots are constantly booked, gas prices are up yet it is not stopping people from making road trip plans, and traffic is back ruining our travel timetables. As life is slowly getting back to normal, its easy to de-prioritize faith. Because faith has sustained us throughout the year, when something else comes back (like movie theaters, travel, concerts, amusement parks, gyms) its tempting to put God at the end of the priority line. I mean God will understand right if we focus on the little things?

It’s so easy to get lost in the business of life. It’s so easy to get wrapped up in yourself. It’s so easy to lose focus on what really matters. The fact of the matter is God is not one of the little things but the biggest thing among all things that makes all those little things work. The concerns of this life can and does blur our vision of God. We cannot let the world, the Devil, yourself or pandemic resolutions dictate our faith. Let your faith dictate your faith. Matthew 6:33 says, “But seek first the kingdom of God and his righteousness, and all these things will be added to you.” Jesus reminds us to keep God one in our lives because when we do, all the other important stuff will fall in line. Have your eyes on God, keep your mind above, and stay focus on the truth. Putting God first in everything is the means by how we live purposefully and wisely. I can’t tell you the amount of times I ruined a good thing because I didn’t have my priorities lined right. Every time God was moved to number four or eight on the priority list, the primary desires of my heart were unfulfilled or wasted. When God is number one in your life, above anyone or anything else, he adds all that is needed to you. C.S Lewis once said, “Put first things first and you get second things thrown in; put second things first and you lose both first and second things.” God knows your priorities, he is asking us to make him our main priority because when we do all other things will take take their rightful place. The Lord is aware of your situation and needs, and he will help you with all of them by paying attention to God and not the second thing. What’s distracting you from trusting God? What’s getting in the way of your commitment with Jesus? What’s stealing your peace and joy? Christians can’t let secondary issues distract us from our primary need for God. Believers at times get burdened on the practicalities of life and the worries of tomorrow and we push communion with our Lord aside. Church, here’s the good news, if you seek and keep God first, all these summer things will be added to you.

Grace and peace ?:^)

Pastor Aaron