Have you ever attempted to have a conversation with someone while they were having a separate conversation via text messaging? While they may be sitting in front of you, and even nodding their heads, their mind is focused on what is being said in those text messages. We see it at church too! Young and old, appearing to be engrossed in the worship or message, but, let their phone buzz with a text, and they are off in another world! Their body is in church, but their priorities are elsewhere.

     I believe we have a set priority "life list". God, family, career, friends, and personal gratification are all categories in our personal "life list". Our lips may say, God first, or family first, but the "life list" does not lie! We will act on a certain priority (career), as long as it has no impact to a greater priority (family).

     The "life list" isn't dynamic. If we act contrary to our "life list" (career ahead of family), it creates stress. We become like the texters, our minds are somewhere else. We will recalibrate in order to reestablish the balance.

     We make commitments to God, saying "God, You're #1", only to let those commitments slide to the "real" higher priorities on the "life list". As I said, the "life list" doesn't lie.

     Let's say, "God, You're #1". How will we respond to insure God's #1 spot is never encroached upon? Here are some examples:

• Is this the career God wants me to have? Money and promotion are not indicators of God's will. Will this job hinder me from being faithful God and his commands?
• The upgraded cable/internet package will require my tithe to pay for it. God first, cable/internet second!  I prefer to just stay with my existing package.
• Hey, let's have Sunday brunch and get together for the family reunion pictures. Brunch? Please reschedule for me, I do not want to miss being in God's house for pictures.
• The movie should end after midnight, do you want to come? No! I want to be refreshed and wide awake when I go to church in the morning!

     Think I'm being ridiculous? If it seems ridiculous, do this. Replace God with another priority: friends, family, career, or personal gratification. When you're able to agree with the statement, you're on track to uncovering your "life list".

     I don't believe the "life list" is dynamic. Our family priority is aligned on the list based on the value we see that it brings. If family moves up the list, it is the result of some life change that caused us to see family as a greater priority than say, career. God is prioritized on our "life list" based on what real value we see in that relationship.

    Now here's the "punch line". If God is first, the rest will fall into place. But if God, isn't first, nothing will ever fall into place.

                                                             Pastor Ed Mathews