PRAYER PROMPT ••• The featured verse today is 1 John 5:21, which says, “Dear children, keep away from anything that might take God’s place in your hearts.”
It refers to “dear children,” but of course, that’s a term applied to all of us, regardless of age, since we are frequently called God’s children in the Bible.
It’s also apt for another reason: children have a reputation for being easily distracted.
Keeping them focused is a challenge shared by both parents and teachers.
But seriously – how different are we as adults?
Not much.
We’re just bigger and can cross the street without holding hands.
We get sidetracked by bills; family drama; medical scares; friends in need; car repairs; reports due at work; and a host of other things we deem “priorities.”
These things are important, but when we let them take away our focus from Jesus, we open ourselves up for compromise.
When we replace Him with the Trouble du Jour (Trouble of the Day), we’re saying we don’t trust Him to handle the problems He’s offered to carry (Matthew 11:28-30).
I referenced bills earlier, but not many of us would say a stack of bills are going to take God’s place in our hearts.
I don’t know many who relish that task; it certainly wasn’t fun when I did it last night.
But the focus of money over trusting in God to provide…
That’s a slippery slope, my Friends.
And it can happen at any time with anything.
Nothing – and I mean NOTHING – has higher priority than your relationship with Jesus.
Husbands, wives, children, parents, siblings, friends – all important.
But not as important as Him.
That’s something I admit to struggling with because I didn’t prioritize God in my life for years.
And as a mom and a wife, I admit to feeling so conflicted to say my son or husband aren’t first.
But they aren’t.
Jesus is, and that’s the way it’s supposed to be.
If I’m not diligent, it’s too easy to adjust the pedestals.
And I want those priority pedestals on lockdown, so there’s no question Who is at the top.
Today, as you pray, ask the Holy Spirit to help you keep your priorities in check, so nothing or no one takes Jesus’ rightful place as first in your heart.
