Day 47: Priorities Done Right

Let me start out today by apologizing for getting behind on these next few days of readings. The flu bug caught me and all I could do for the last few days was lay and sleep. Luckily, it is a new day, and God's Word is always fresh. It's ok if you miss a day. Just remember to pick it up the next day. Don't just give up, keep it up. With that said, here is a new day of reading God's Word.


Reading: Psalm 22:12-21

We continue on with the prophesy of Jesus' death. He cries out to God to save Him, like Jesus does during His death on the cross many, many years later. When we are at our lowest, where are we looking to for help? Though Jesus didn't need to take our guilt and punishment, He still made His Father His priority by making us a priority and saving us from the wrath and separation of sin. He came to earth to do what His Father set out for Him to do, and He didn't stumble in His focus or priority. May we make it our priority to carry out what God calls us to do, no matter how hard it is.


Reading: Mark 1:29-2:17

Jesus' priorities become quite clear as we read more about His life throughout the gospels. He cared first about God, then about people.
Jesus made it priority to spend time with God alone. We read in these verses how Jesus would go off to secluded places to pray. This was hard with the crowds constantly following Him, but His next priority was for people. We read how He has compassion on them, how He healed them, and how He proclaimed truth to them.
The priorities Jesus put forth in His own life can be strong examples of how we are to align our own priorities in our own lives. I personally remember with this acronym:

JOY, which stands for Jesus, then Others, then Yourself. When we put God first, the others seem to fall into place, because that is the type of example Jesus set out for us. He lived a life full of many lessons we can learn from, and priorities and how we line those up are one He showed us how to do well.


Reading: Exodus 19:1-20:26

The verses in this reading are some of the more famous ones in our world. When you ask someone to name one of the Ten Commandments, odds are they can give you at least one or two. Get to five or more though, and it could be disappointing how many Christians can't even name them.
Though some people look at the Ten Commandments as rules or laws, they are meant to be confirmations of our relationship with God, not conditions. When we establish rules in our lives, they show what we find valuable, or what we prioritize. When parents set the rule to their not to stay out past 10pm, it's because they care about their kid and their safety. When God sets the rule of not murdering, it's because He loves us and wants the best for us. When we follow the rules God sets out for us, and when we make those rules our own rules we are confirming that God is our priority. The Ten Commandments are a response to a relationship of love. Marriage has boundaries because there needs to be a trusting love relationship there. The same goes with God. When we show Him we trust in Him and that we love Him, the rules come without much work or loss. When we love our spouse, we wouldn't want to hurt them, so the rules here also feel like they're without work. Just remember that rules within relationship are a confirmation of love, not a condition. When we prioritize Christ in our lives, the rules apply without much work. Following the first 2 commandments alone cause the others to fall into place.


Our lives reflect our priorities. Christ should always be number 1, followed by our loved ones and others around us, then ourselves. Be sure you are reflecting this throughout your life.