Be Wise: Prioritize! 

Former U.S. Secretary of State Henry Kissinger once quipped, "There can't be another crisis. My schedule's already full!" That can happen when other people determine your agenda. Jesus refused to live that way.[1]  Jesus was having a great time of ministry, many miracles and healings and the whole city where he was came to Him.   

Mark 1:32-34 (NKJV)  At evening, when the sun had set, they brought to Him all who were sick and those who were demon-possessed. 33 And the whole city was gathered together at the door. 34 Then He healed many who were sick with various diseases, and cast out many demons; and He did not allow the demons to speak, because they knew Him.

The next morning another crowd of needy people was waiting on His doorstep. But how Jesus responded this time might surprise you.[2]

Mark 1:35-39 (NKJV) Now in the morning, having risen a long while before daylight, He went out and departed to a solitary place; and there He prayed. 36 And Simon and those who were with Him searched for Him. 37 When they found Him, they said to Him, "Everyone is looking for You." 38 But He said to them, "Let us go into the next towns, that I may preach there also, because for this purpose I have come forth." 39 And He was preaching in their synagogues throughout all Galilee, and casting out demons.

What was He thinking! There were headlines to be made, people to be healed, and fans waiting to pat him on the back! Could you resist the lure of all that? Jesus did, because He followed God's agenda, not man's.

      Jesus loved people so much that one day He would die for them. But that didn't stop Him from saying no when He needed to. Appeasing people in order to win their approval is never a good idea; it puts somebody other than God in the driver's seat. Instead of getting sidetracked,

·         Jesus:

1.    REALIZED and made prayer and uninterrupted time with His Father a top priority; Do you think Christians you know are faithful in prayer?  I heard a minister say, “We have forgotten how to pray.”  Jesus demonstrated that His relationship with His Father in prayer was the most important thing.  He sought His Father’s will and direction and then obeyed.  In this way after 3 years of ministry, he could die on the cross and say, “It is finished!  He received His instructions, carried them out and was at peace with the result.  What is the Lord saying to you today about where prayer and relationship with Him are in your priorities.

2.    RECOGNIZED that doing God's will was more important than "being all things to all people;" How often do you begin your day finding out what is on God’s heart for the day and then seeking to fulfill it.  Would you say, “People-pleasing” is a problem for you?  Aristotle is quoted as saying, “A friend to all is a friend to none!  Galatians 1:10 (NLT) Obviously, I’m not trying to win the approval of people, but of God. If pleasing people were my goal, I would not be Christ’s servant. When we know what God wants and we commit to do it, other’s ideas and opinions are not so important.

3.    REFUSED to let other people's definition of what was urgent, distract Him from fulfilling His life's purpose.[3]  It is easy to get sidetracked by the urgent needs of those around us, our family, close friends and even strangers.  Someone labeled it “the tyranny of the urgent!”  Sometimes our flesh, other people or random things can derail our priorities and we are totally unfruitful for the Lord.  We are called to bear much fruit.  John 15:5 (NKJV) I am the vine, you are the branches. He who abides in Me, and I in him, bears much fruit; for without Me you can do nothing.  How is this fruit produced?  By abiding in the vine, Jesus.  It is yielding to Him, allowing Him to flow through us, to lead us and help us. 

Jesus 3 R’s in this passage are:  REALIZED, RECOGNIZED & REFUSED!

1.    REALIZED and made prayer and uninterrupted time with His Father a top priority; 

2.    RECOGNIZED that doing God's will was more important than "being all things to all people;"

3.    REFUSED to let other people's definition of what was urgent, distract Him from fulfilling His life's purpose

·         Survey: In a survey, people over ninety were asked, "If you had your life to live over what would you do differently?" Three answers constantly reemerged:

1)    I'd spend more time with my family and friends.

2)    I'd take more risks.

3)    I'd do things that would live on after I'm gone.

·         Parent’s Priorities: Today, we have dedicated 2 precious children to the Lord. What are the Lord’s priorities for parents of small children?

Raise Godly Children, of course! How about parents of teens? How about grandparents?

Each season of life has a different set of priorities. I remember when Sharon was pregnant with Julie and we were going to be parents for the first time. Sharon and I had been working with teenagers for many years. We could see the result of how parents raised their children and we didn’t want to be trapped with “out of control children” the rest of our lives. We sought the Lord and we sought to learn all we could from godly parents, both those we knew and through some great Christian books on the subject. We weren’t smart enough to know how to be good parents by ourselves but we discovered a treasure trove of practical help from some great Christian classics like Larry Christenson’s The Christian Family and James Dobson’s Dare To Discipline and many more. I probably read 6-8 books on raising a family. We were far from perfect parents but by consistently applying the teachings we received, we have enjoyed our children and our grandchildren who all love and serve the Lord. What season of life are you in? What is the Lord saying to you about His priorities for your life right now? I am in school now learning how to be a better spiritual father.

·         Lighthouse Story: The story is told of a lighthouse keeper on a rocky stretch of coastline who received a new supply of oil each month to keep the light burning. Being close to the shore he had lots of guests. A woman from the village needed some oil to keep her family warm; a farmer requested some for his tractor; a mechanic wanted some to lubricate a wheel. All the requests seemed legitimate so the lighthouse keeper tried to please everybody. Before the month was over his oil was gone and the beacon went out. As a result several ships were wrecked and lives were lost. When the authorities investigated, the man was very repentant. But to his excuses and pleading their reply was, "You were given oil for one purpose - to keep the light burning." Be wise - prioritize![4]

You have been given the “oil of the Holy Spirit” to keep the light of Christ burning.  Day after day the Lord speaks to me about my priorities.  We have an enemy trying to distract and destroy us.  Our own flesh can devastate us and defeat us.  Jesus wants to be first.  Will you indeed make Him Lord of Your priorities?

What is the one thing the Lord is saying to you today to focus on concerning your priorities? Perhaps He has touched several things, but what is the #1 priority He wants to help you achieve?

[1] www.hearbobgass.com  08/28/08

[2] IBID.

[3] IBID.

[4] www.bobgass.com/devotional/php 08/29/2009