Switched Keys

Our work group enjoyed a lunch outing today (tomorrow actually) and one of the topics of discussion was how we have so much to do so much to write and so little time. We are compelled to live our lives by setting priorities with God first family next job next recreation next or whatever order you use. Setting priorities is one of those things I've heard for decades and yet rarely considered oppugning. If we were to truly set priorities and put God first then He would have to have our exclusive attention. If family comes before work then we should stay home more. Logically we should all of our time in the highest priority areas.

TRUE there are some pragmatic reasons for listing items based on importance but I suggest that it has (or should have) more to do with something beside priorities something that comes from Ecclesiastes.

Now as they went on their way he entered a certain village where a woman named Martha welcomed him into her home. She had a sister named Mary who sat at the Lord's feet and listened to what he was saying. But Martha was distracted by her many tasks; so she came to him and asked "Lord do you not care that my sister has left me to do all the work by myself? Tell her then to help me." But the Lord answered her "Martha Martha you are worried and distracted by many things; there is need of only one thing. Mary has chosen the better part which will not be taken away from her" (Luke 10:38-42).

Many people will say that Mary had her priorities straight. My feeling is that your priorities are more defined by your individual gifts than what is the more important thing to do.

These two sisters also had a brother named Lazarus who was ill. The story is long and complex but in short Jesus delayed coming until Lazarus had died. While he did have a purpose as I follow Jesus' ministry it seems that he ministered based on what he needed to do at the time. There's a time to sit at Jesus' feet and just listen and there's a time to minister in other ways.

There are numerous passages that tell us to seek God's will and what things that consists of. We have plenty to do. We just need to do what we know needs to be done at the time and meet new assignments with an open heart and willing hands. To everything there is a season and a time for every purpose under the sun.