It has been months since I updated things on here and for that I apologise, but it got me to thinking today – what are our priorities and how do we decide on them? My job is one of those that even with a job description/remit, it continually grows arms and legs, expanding all the time. Yesterday we sat down with some head teachers to talk about the possibility of having prayer spaces in their schools (thinking that if we could persuade one or two we would be doing well) only to find out they all want it sooner rather than later. This is great stuff, but I already work more than my contracted hours plus I am studying, so what gives way? Should anything give way? How do I decide?
If I’m honest, I know the one thing that would have given way in the past – my time with God; time to sit down and read his word, to talk with him and to listen to him, time to rest in his presence. One thing I have learnt in the last couple of years is that this needs to be my first priority not the first thing to go. Sometimes that is easy for us and sometimes it is hard. The reason? I believe it is our attitude. Today I had my attitude to the word of God questioned. Do I see reading God’s word as a chore or as a delight and encouragement? My answer – it depends on the day. But imagine for a moment that each day you come to the word of God ready to be encouraged (yes to be challenged as well), but ready to have his promises spoken over you and to be reminded of how much he delights in you. Imagine you come to the word of God each day hungry for it because you recognise it’s nutritional value in your life – longing for it because it brings you hope. Romans 15:4 says this “for everything that was written in the past was written to teach us, so that through the endurance taught in the Scriptures and the encouragement they provide we might have hope.” God’s word is full of hope and encouragement.
So I may not know what in my work and personal life needs to give way for other things to happen and when I make decisions I may even at times get it wrong; but I do know that my walk with God, my time with him and in his word is something that always has to remain as the number one priority – if it doesn’t then how can I even begin to imagine doing everything else without hope and encouragement?
