Priorities

TITLE: Priorities
DATE: May 6, 2019
TEXT: John 10:27 -  27 My sheep hear my voice, and I know them, and they follow me.

By the time the fire department arrived, flames were leaping high into the air from the burning house.

That's when a young man appeared at an upper window in his pajamas. The firemen encouraged him to climb down the ladder, placed against the house for his assistance. To their amazement, he yelled down that he had to go get dressed first.
The firemen who better understood the speed with which a fire can spread were unanimous in their shout,l “You’ve got  no time. Come as you are!"

Maybe the man didn’t hear; maybe he was determined; maybe he had to grab a valuable. No one knows exactly what happened and nobody knows  why the man did what he did.  but they do know he refused the help which was being offered. He refused, turned his back and wet into his bedroom.
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His negative response led to his unfortunate and unnecessary death because it  was the last time he was seen alive.
It occurs to me that this young man is representative of a great many people, people who have managed to get their priorities way out of whack.  They enthusiastically pursue all manner of things unimportant and do so at the sacrifice of that which is truly essential.

Jobs push aside home. Attaining financial security takes precedence over friends. Watching television or playing golf precludes time spent with children and spouses.

In contrast to our questionable priorities, our loving Lord made saving us His primary and principal imperative.

The plan was put into place in Eden and became the Savior’s marching orders for His ministry among us.  Rejection by those whom He had come to save, betrayal by a disciple, crucifixion on a cross, did not remove His eyes from His goal.  

Now there’s no way we sinful human beings can live emulate the loyalty, commitment and faithfulness shown by the Son of God. Still, if we’re going to escape the fires of this life (and the next) we need to let the Holy Spirit keep our priorities in order.

And what does that mean?

In part it means, when our Lord says, “Come as you are!", we don’t debate, argue or hesitate. We heed His call and put ourselves into His all merciful hands.

THE PRAYER: Dear Jesus for Your commitment, Your faithfulness and dedication to saving me I give thanks. Now I ask that You bring my priorities into line with Yours. May the Holy Spirit teach me to pursue that which is truly important. In Your Name. Amen.

 The music which introduces and concludes our devotions was written by Guy Baumann. He along with three of his brothers perform on the album: The Baumann Brothers which may be ordered here: http://thebaumannbrothers.com/index.html