Put Christ First in Everything You Do
Q: I know I ought to pay more attention to God and be more active in my church, but I'm so busy trying to keep my business going that I have a hard time fitting everything in. Does God understand this, or is He upset because I'm not giving Him as much attention as I should? -- M.W.R.
A: Some of the busiest men and women I've ever known were also some of the most committed to Christ, in spite of their schedules. One of them was my own father-in-law, Dr. L. Nelson Bell, whose career as a missionary, surgeon and influential church leader kept him constantly on the go.
How did they do it? The answer is that their lives weren't broken up into a series of separate, unrelated compartments -- family, career, finances, relaxation, religion, and so forth. Instead, Jesus Christ was at the center of everything they did, and He influenced everything they did. Christ was part of every "compartment" -- and in fact He ruled them all! In other words, Christ wasn't part of their lives just one hour a week, but 24 hours a day.
What is your priority in life? What is most important to you? Money? Success? Prestige? Pleasure? Or is it God and His will for your life? Be honest in your answer -- and then ask yourself if your present goal in life is what it should be. Jesus said, "But seek first his kingdom and his righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well" (Matthew 6:33).
Don't waste your life on things that will not last, but come to Jesus Christ and give your life to Him. Then ask Him to help you use your time wisely, and to put Him first in everything.