Priority One

But seek first his kingdom and his righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well.

– Matthew 6:33

Many businesses these days like to tout their focus on sustainability — the practice of using resources responsibly, maintaining ecological balance, and ensuring the well-being of all … both for today and tomorrow. Likewise, governments around the world are changing their laws and policies to prioritize recycling, water conservation, renewable energy, and social equity.

But what about our personal priorities toward a valuable resource we can never renew: our time?

Everyone has a finite number of days to live on this planet. And what we do with them depends on our prime concerns and preferences. Some might live to travel the globe and find adventure. Others might live for pleasure, family, or friends. And some folks might seek true meaning by focusing on their careers or supporting worthy charities.

With so many choices before us, how can we best set our priorities?

The 2026 Olympic Winter Games are right around the corner, so let’s consider Eric Liddell’s story for guidance. Liddell was a Christ-follower who believed that everything in his life should be done to please God. Born in China, he looked forward to one day fulfilling his calling as a missionary. But before that, he planned to compete in the 1924 Paris Olympics as a runner.

All seemed well until Liddell learned that his big race was scheduled for a Sunday. But that troubled him. He believed that competing on the Lord’s Day was wrong and that it would dishonor the God he always sought to please. So, he stepped aside — seemingly disqualifying himself from a chance at fame by representing his country at the Games. 

Liddell’s priority was to put God first, whatever the cost. And needless to say, it was a priority that few others shared. It’s reported that even the Prince of Wales urged the young athlete to run in the Sunday track meet. But Liddell refused to compromise his principles.

Then the unexpected happened. Liddell was given the opportunity to race on another day. But the catch was that he had never trained for that particular event. Fans of the 1981 movie classic Chariots of Fire know what happened next: Liddell won the contest and claimed the cherished gold medal.

Now fast-forward to 2026, and it’s our turn to make some decisions. What are our priorities in life and what’s really important? As Christ-followers, we first need to seek God’s guidance if he hasn’t already answered those questions. It’s then that we take that next crucial step: the decision to honor God. And we also need to develop a plan of action. What are we willing to change to meet the goal? What’s negotiable? And finally, it’s time to deliver by running the race and seeing it through past the finish line.

Eric Liddell’s story is full of life lessons. And if there’s just one to adopt as our own, it’s that God will honor us when we decide to honor God.

Are you ready to set priorities for your daily walk of faith? Then let the race begin!

Soul Food

Because of this, since the day we heard about you, we have continued praying for you, asking God that you will know fully what he wants. We pray that you will also have great wisdom and understanding in spiritual things so that you will live the kind of life that honors and pleases the Lord in every way. You will produce fruit in every good work and grow in the knowledge of God.

– Colossians 1:9-10

What’s your idea of a great meal? 

For some folks, a grilled steak, baked potato, and salad always hit the spot. Others love pizza, Vietnamese, or seafood. There’s also Mediterranean, Asian, and dozens of other cuisines. And let’s not forget those who crave vegetarian.

People’s tastes and tastebuds vary widely, but it’s their hunger that unites them. However, there’s another kind of appetite that has nothing to do with cheeseburgers, fried chicken, and ice cream. It’s the spiritual hunger that’s hard-coded into our DNA. Inside, everyone has a gnawing desire to fill a gaping internal void. Some try in vain through negative pursuits such as drug use, alcohol, compulsive spending, or gambling. Others attempt to fill it by becoming workaholics or escaping reality through social media, video games, or even travel. But once the thrill is gone, the hunger always returns. Moreover, they’re never satisfied.

Jesus addressed this universal dilemma by proclaiming (and proving) himself to be the “food” that everyone craves. As we read in John 6:35:

“I am the bread that gives life. Whoever comes to me will never be hungry, and whoever believes in me will never be thirsty.”

Spiritual hunger can be beneficial. In fact, we all need a drive — a certain level of intensity — to continue developing as Christ-followers. Our Creator has so many things for us to see, experience, and comprehend during our brief existence on Earth, and that’s how we grow and mature into Jesus’ likeness. How boring would our lives be if we already knew all the answers from Day 1?

Unfortunately, too many Believers experience stunted spiritual growth because they lack the intensity to continue seeking meaning in their lives. The solution is to mature by making the most of the people, places, and situations that God puts before us each day. And it's also up to you and me to continue developing our spiritual muscles through regular Bible study, prayer, worship, Small Group participation, and other positive habits. After all, there’s nothing like a good workout to whet one’s appetite — and then satisfy it with food for the soul.

Name-Dropping

Instead, speaking the truth in love, we will grow to become in every respect the mature body of him who is the head, that is, Christ. 

– Ephesians 4:15

The saying goes that it’s not what you know … it’s WHO you know that matters.

That’s especially true when a connection can help you obtain or accomplish something quickly and efficiently. For example, a call to the right person who already owes you a big favor might get you those tickets to that sold-out concert or sporting event. You might be able to get your child into the right school if you have a close friend in the admissions office. And that acquaintance who knows a mechanic who fixes vehicles on the side could get your car back on the road in no time — and for a price the dealership can’t beat.

Other scenarios involve name-dropping, or suggesting that you have a relationship with a celebrity, politician, or other notable. We do it at parties, at job interviews, and when we want to impress others. And while name-dropping can be annoying, sometimes it’s OK to brag a bit about our relationship to the right person. In the Bible, it’s actually encouraged in Psalm 16:8:

I keep my eyes always on the Lord. With him at my right hand, I will not be shaken.

At Christianity’s core is our relationship with God through our faith in Jesus. Specifically, that connection is one of a child and their parent, which is made possible through Jesus’ death on the cross — a punishment we all rightly deserve for our lifetimes stained by personal failures and shortcomings (better known as sin). But since we’re connected with the right person (Jesus), he’s already paid the price to save us from a certain death and eternal punishment in hell.

God also wants us to be in close relationship with other Believers. That’s because we grow spiritually when we’re deeply connected to one another in Christ. After all, isolation can stunt our spiritual growth while loving connection strengthens it. Meanwhile, let’s not neglect our relationships with non-Believers — those personal connections that can help launch their own journeys of faith. That means introducing them to Jesus, sharing your own testimony about the Savior, and relating how his death on the cross 2,000 years ago means a whole new life today — and later into eternity.

How can you get the ball rolling?

One of the best ways is to pray for people by name. They can be family members, co-workers, neighbors, political leaders — and particularly your enemies. And don’t be surprised if God opens the circumstances where you become the answer to someone else’s prayers. Jesus set the example when he sent 12 of his disciples to nearby Jewish communities to spread the Good News (the Gospel):

“Do not go among the Gentiles or enter any town of the Samaritans. Go rather to the lost sheep of Israel,” he told them. “As you go, proclaim this message: ‘The kingdom of heaven has come near.’ Heal the sick, raise the dead, cleanse those who have leprosy, drive out demons. Freely you have received; freely give.”

As 21st century Believers, let’s be prepared to do some name-dropping whenever it’s needed to grow God’s kingdom. Because it’s not what you know, but WHO you know that matters.

Truth or Consequences

Blessed is the one who does not walk in step with the wicked or stand in the way that sinners take or sit in the company of mockers, but whose delight is in the law of the Lord, and who meditates on his law day and night. That person is like a tree planted by streams of water, which yields its fruit in season and whose leaf does not wither — whatever they do prospers.

– Psalm 1:1-3

It sounds like something found deep in the jungles of Africa, the Amazon rainforest — or maybe even on another planet. It’s a carnivorous plant called the Venus fly trap, which grows wild in the bogs of North and South Carolina. 

Venus fly traps feast on flies and other insects, and their secret lies in their attractive colors and outstretched, nectar-scented pads. When an unsuspecting victim lands on the exotic plant, sensors prepare its trap to shut. But by intelligent design, it takes more than a single motion to spring the snare. It’s only after a second sensor is activated that the Venus fly trap grabs its prey within 0.1 seconds. Soon, powerful fluids fill the sprung trap, which dissolve the insect into usable nutrients. The cycle then resumes, with the plant re-opening its pads to repeat the lethal deception.

This illustrates an important lesson for Christ-followers: Although it might seem innocent at the time, we can suffer great harm from those who teach Scripture in ways that are inconsistent with God’s Word. That’s because false doctrine can lead Believers astray while misdirecting seekers from the biblical straight-and-narrow pathway toward salvation. Examples include pseudo-Christian tenets such as name-it-claim it, salvation by works, and legalism. One popular Atlanta-area pastor has also advocated unhitching the Old Testament from the Christian faith. And in recent years another familiar pastor/author has denied certain essential Christian beliefs. Declaring that “love wins” and that hell is just symbolic, he’s proclaimed that people worldwide will be saved in the end — even if they haven’t professed their faith Christ. Of course, Believers know through John 14:6 that Jesus disagrees:

“I am the way and the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me.”

The threat from bad doctrine is nothing new to Christ-followers. About 2,000 years ago, the apostle Paul addressed some of the false teachings of his day that were both confusing and upsetting to early believers in Jesus:

“But even if we or an angel from heaven should preach a gospel other than the one we preached to you,” he wrote in Galatians 1:8, “let them be under God’s curse!”

The good news is that God’s truth is near to those who seek it. And Christ-followers have open access to it through the Bible, prayer — and even wise counsel from fellow Believers. We should therefore have less trouble than others with telling right from wrong and discerning the traps of false doctrine. It’s a vital lesson that underscores the importance of biblical literacy. What's more, it’s a reminder that our stability in life comes from being deeply rooted in God’s truth, not by merely being exposed to it.

A book, movie, TV series — or even a sermon — might be labeled Christian, but it’s no guarantee that you’ll find pure biblical truth through it. So, if you see or read something that seems inconsistent with Scripture, maybe it is. Check the Bible and ask a trusted Christian friend. And if that teaching is unbiblical, don’t follow it. But if it turns out to be legitimate, God could be using it to build your faith as you grow into the Believer he wants you to be.

Wise Men Still Seek Him

But seek first his kingdom and his righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well.

– Matthew 6:23

There’s a big difference between looking for something and searching for it. 

Looking suggests a more casual exploration, such as for a new barbecue restaurant or a full-service drycleaner. But searching, on the other hand, indicates a sense of urgency. That could be anything from our car keys — because we can’t be late again to the office — to a skilled oncologist for a stricken loved one. We search for what matters.

For Christ-followers, it’s a life-long spiritual quest toward Jesus as their Lord and Savior. And each step of the way, we seek to know him better and do God’s will with purpose and vision. But let’s consider the original Christ-followers 2,000 years ago, who traveled countless miles through deserts and rugged terrain in search of the one we call The Good Shepherd.

They were the Magi, but you might know them from the Christmas story as the Three Wise Men. Some scholars say they were astrologers from Babylon (ancient Iraq), who were familiar with the Old Testament prophesies about the Jew’s long-awaited Messiah. The time came when the travelers spotted a special star in the nighttime sky. It was a sign that was both breathtaking and unmistakable. And the Magi would soon follow it at all costs to gaze upon and worship the sought-after King of Kings.

The second chapter of Matthew’s gospel reveals that the Wise Men lived up to their name. And if we look closer, we’ll see that their successful journey highlights important principles that Christ-followers can embrace today. The first is that seeking God can be dangerous and demanding. Our spiritual pathway is full of hairpin turns and steep hills rather than long, smooth stretches of highway. And to reach their destination, the Magi chose the road-less-taken rather than the direct route. But how often do we choose the easy way out rather than doing the difficult — but right — thing?

The Magi’s example also reassures us that Christ-followers will find Jesus through a diligent search. And it’s plausible that the Three Kings were familiar with Jeremiah 29:13, which reads:

You will seek me and find me when you seek me with all your heart.

So, whether it's Christmas Day or any other day of the year, let’s follow the Wise Men’s example. They recognized their Savior's star from a great distance, began their search, and stayed on the winding, uneven road until they reached their destination. As Jesus reminds us through Matthew 7:7-8:

“Ask and it will be given to you. Search and you will find. Knock and the door will be opened for you. The one who asks will always receive; the one who is searching will always find, and the door is opened to the man who knocks.”

The University of Adversity

On the evening of that first day of the week, when the disciples were together, with the doors locked for fear of the Jewish leaders, Jesus came and stood among them and said, “Peace be with you!” After he said this, he showed them his hands and side. The disciples were overjoyed when they saw the Lord. Again Jesus said, “Peace be with you! As the Father has sent me, I am sending you.”

– John 20:19-21

Have you ever wrestled with God about the tragedies, suffering, and injustices of life? 

We reason that if he’s all-powerful, he should prevent such adversity. But let’s consider that no one ever promised us a trouble-free existence. What’s more, God’s perspective extends beyond our superficial human experience and into the immeasurable wonders of his creation. For example, can we comprehend how an awkward caterpillar gorges on leaves, spins a cocoon around itself, and then emerges weeks later as a beautiful butterfly? And how can a tiny acorn grow into a mighty 80-foot oak?

It’s all beyond our understanding, but the principle here is the same. Whether we're going through good times or bad, we must remind ourselves that God's ways aren't our ways. Moreover, our human minds are much too limited to grasp the entirety of his greater purpose.

But we’re not totally in the dark here. God’s word to us — the Bible — gives us several pointers. One is that we live in an imperfect world where bad things can (and often do) happen. It was when Adam and Eve disobeyed their Creator in the Garden of Eden that Earth’s peaceful perfection was spoiled. And it’s only four chapters into Genesis that we read about mankind’s first murder: a cold-blooded encounter between brothers.

Our struggles with God can also involve our poor choices. For example, if someone chooses to drink too much, gets drunk, and then gets behind the wheel, tragedy often follows. But that’s hardly God’s fault. We instead reap the fruits of the foolishness we’ve sown.

These are sobering facts of life, but the good news is that we worship a God who specializes in turning bad into good. Consider someone who gets laid off from their job, only to find a much better one in a different city — with better pay — and in an industry that they’d never previously considered. If it weren’t for the adversity of unemployment, they might have been stuck in a boring, dead-end situation with little future. 

God also uses our adversities to discipline and mature us. Are we ever the same after experiencing a major illness or family tragedy? It’s through such crises that we draw closer to him and depend on his help and presence. And our Creator can even use our anguish as a witness to others. If you’re a Christ-follower faced with a God-sized situation, where you place your faith speaks volumes to others. After all, we know that Jesus — The Prince of Peace — will establish a kingdom that makes things right.

“I have told you these things, so that in me you may have peace,” Jesus assures us in John 16:33. “In this world you will have trouble. But take heart! I have overcome the world.”

Worth Every Penny

“My son,’” the father said, “you are always with me, and everything I have is yours. But we had to celebrate and be glad, because this brother of yours was dead and is alive again; he was lost and is found.”

– Luke 15:31-32

Few things are as disappointing as buying a product or service that fails to meet expectations — especially if it was expensive. For example, maybe you heard about a new restaurant that piqued your interest. You went online and checked out the menu, read several reviews, and even asked your friends and co-workers for their opinions. But once you were seated at the table, you quickly saw through the hype. The dining room was shabby, the waiter was rude … and that $75 entrée wasn’t even appetizing. 

On the other hand, what about that expensive Caribbean cruise? You perused several tourist websites, watched The Travel Channel, and spoke with friends who'd recently returned from the same excursion. And although your ticket's cost meant weeks of cutting back on regular expenses, the tropical islands you visited were gorgeous, the cuisine was superb, and you even made some new friends along the way. Yes, that extravagant vacation put a dent in your bank account. But the memories you made were priceless.

The Bible also confirms the worth of some costly purchases. For example, there’s Jesus’ famous story about the Prodigal Son, where a loving father welcomes back his wayward — and totally undeserving — child, who had burned through his entire inheritance on outrageously wasteful living. Christ also told about a man who sold his possessions to buy a field. And not just any field, but one that held buried treasure. Although the price tag was staggering, the man did whatever it took to obtain that land at any cost.

These parables illustrate how God puts his love into action to bring you and me into his family and provide belonging. Perhaps the most familiar passage in the New Testament, John 3:16, declares that he loves the world so much that he gave his only Son (Jesus) so that those who believe in him will have eternal life. Our Creator willingly let Jesus suffer and die on the cross in our place to pay for our wrongdoings — past, present, and future. And unlike Christ — who lived a perfect, sin-free existence — we all rightfully deserve death because of our lawlessness. But God’s grace offers us forgiveness and a fresh start if we’re only willing to accept it.

Jesus paid the exorbitant price to save us from ourselves. And compared to our costly, regrettable purchases, this one was worth every penny.