I went with my daughter to the high school baccalaureate service because her best friend is graduating. In comparison to the graduating class, very few people attended this optional service. However, there was a family sitting directly behind us with a graduating senior. It was almost time for the service to start when the lady behind us says, in a loud voice, “I hope they get this thing going, I know God is important but…. there is a game on tonight.”
I sat there amazed. My daughter and I just looked at each, not knowing what to say. I immediately thought, “You don’t have to be here so why are you?” The comment stuck with me and I continued to ponder it for the rest of the night. It would be easy to condemn or criticize this woman but I wonder in reality how many of us actually send this message without saying it.
God is important but……
I’m on vacation
I’ve got too much work to do
I’ve got a game
We’ve got a dance competition
We’ve got a recital
We just don’t have enough time
I’ve got to think about my family first
The list can go on and on and on. However, the message is still the same. In reality we are saying that God is not as important as what follows in the rest of that statement. Perhaps that is one reason I like our primary core value here at The LOGOS Ministry:
We affirm that a saving relationship with God through Jesus Christ is more important than anything else in life.
Like everyone I struggle to live this out daily but at least this value keeps reminding me of who God wants me to be. A great reminder that each and every day I need my life to reflect that truth.
God is MOST important…….no buts about it.
July 5, 2009 at 3:44 am |
For many years, I have read and heard that my relationship with God should be THE most important relationship in my life. It has been difficult for me to accept this because I felt that I would somehow be “slighting” my relationships with my daughter and my husband. Well, my relationships with them are not what they should be anyway; I’m often irritable, saying things I regret, and I forget how blessed I am to have them in my life. Only recently did i come to the realization that my relationship with God needs to be first, so that I can be changed by His grace and love, to be the wife and mother that I should be.
July 7, 2009 at 5:52 pm |
Donna,
Thanks for your sharing on this very important realization. It is truly amazing what putting God first does for our relationships and our lives. Perhaps that is why I like the verse in Malachi when God says “test me in this”. I pray your relationships will bear a lot of fruit in the future.
Tom
July 6, 2009 at 2:29 pm |
Donna makes a good point. Our primary relationship with God is the starting point for living a healthier and more peaceful life that will be blessed by loving relationships with others.
May God continue to bless you and your relationships Donna.