As a follower of Jesus one of the things I should be doing is putting God first. But what exactly does that mean? Even though I have some idea, it’s definitely easier said than done.
Back when I was a freshman in college, in my first week, I joined this Christian club. Every week they had Bible Studies. It was during those Bible studies that I was introduced to this new concept called quiet time. That’s basically when you take 30 minutes to an hour out of your day – preferably in the morning right after you wake up – and spend time with God, reading your Bible and in prayer.
That was and still is at times a challenge for me. Because let’s face it, reading your Bible and praying can be quite boring. One of the people in my Bible study described it perfectly: They said it’s like working out, sometimes you can be reluctant to do it, but after it’s done you feel so much better.
I would definitely agree. When I study my Bible, not just read it, but study it – really trying to find the lesson and then apply that to my life, that can be so refreshing. And while I make sure to… well usually I make sure to thank God for my many blessings during my alone time with Him, I spend a huge amount of that time asking for stuff. Like even if I’m asking for stuff that I’m pretty sure He wants me to have like discipline, focus, humility, it’s still a bunch of stuff. And if I’m honest with myself, sure I want this stuff so that I’m able to do His will, but I also want this stuff because it produces earthly success. And at this time, when I’m trying to get my writing career going, being proficient in those things would really help me out.
Lately, when I spend time with God, my focus has been on discipline. That’s an area that I could really use some help in. And it’s funny, because as I was searching on YouTube for sermons on discipline, one in particular really caught my eye. Part of the title was “create your own discipline,” or something like that. But I liked the idea that discipline was something I could create. So I clicked on it.
As I was listening to the speaker, it occurred to me that this message wasn’t exactly about discipline, at least not in a straightforward way. Like maybe in some abstract, esoteric way you could bring it back around to discipline, but on the surface it wasn’t.
To me, it was about spending time with God and putting Him first, which was kinda wonderful, because even though I was looking for a message on discipline, one on spending time with God was exactly what I needed.
During the message he described the birth of his son. His son is his fourth child and first and only boy. He spoke of how proud he was of his wife and the strength that she showed. He told how his 10 year old daughter was allowed into the delivery room and when the doctor asked if she wanted to help pull her brother out, with tears in her eyes, she held her hands out ready to receive him. He recalled that as amazing as that experience was, it was nothing compared to a week he spent one time in the presence of God.
He was telling that story because he wasn’t in that place anymore where he was spending time with God like that and he wanted to get back to it. He also just wanted to note the importance of spending time with God…or at least that was my interpretation of it.
That story reminded me of a saying you hear in church a lot: In the presence of God is the fullness of joy, the fullness of peace. I looked it up and I guess it’s taken in part from Psalm 16:11.
That struck me, because when I spend time with God and take a survey of all my issues that I need His help with, to tackle them, I don’t know where to begin. Then I heard this message and it reminded me of that Bible verse I first learned probably back in the second grade or so. It’s Matthew 6:33, and I learned the King James Version so, “Seek ye first the Kingdom of God, and His righteousness, and all these things shall be added unto you.” Hallelujah.
That just reminds me that instead of trying to take on everything that comes at me in my own strength, the thing that I really need to concentrate on is putting God first in my life, and once I do that, everything else will fall into place. What that looks like for me is evolving. I’m trying to come up with more ways than just studying my Bible and praying. Oh, there’s also listening to worship music.
But the important thing is that I remind myself to let go, and let God.
Amen.
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