Get Your Priorities Straight 
This devotional was written by Jim Burns

And whatever you do, whether in word or deed, do it all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through him.— Colossians 3:17    


Terry Jane Thompson punched her alarm off at 7:01 a.m. and rolled out of bed. She meant to get up earlier to do her quiet time but last night she got to bed late ... dinner... homework... phone ... TV. She had dilly-dallied with her make-up, hair, etc. and finally crashed into bed. She meant to pray but simply forgot. At 7:02 a.m. she quickly started her morning routine to get to school on time: clothes, teeth, hair, hair again, quick bite, look at homework, rush, rush, hurry, hurry. She picked up Janine on the way, had a great talk about Bart, complained about Mr. Shelton’s class, and gossiped just a little about Pam and Steve.

 

School was a blur. Classes were only okay. Summer is almost here - then Terry Jane Thompson will really start spending time with God. In Mr. Shelton’s class they talked about God but she didn’t talk to God. She remembered that at youth group Mr. Bodnar invited people to go on another mission trip to an Indian reservation. One of these days she would really like to, but not this time. She was just too busy.

After school Terry was really, really busy. At a quick dinner with half the Thompson family present, her mom asked her if she was going to youth group tonight. She definitely wanted to go but once again, her homework wasn’t done. So, after dinner, Terry Jane Thompson went into her room to cram for a math test. Her brother turned on the TV and her sister was playing the latest Amy Grant CD. She stopped to listen and watch. After a few phone calls, and two hours of TV with her books on her lap, she collapsed into bed. She didn’t even remove her eye mascara or make-up. Terry stopped for a moment and looked at the little devotional book on her bedstand. She was way too tired. Maybe tomorrow she would wake up early.

 

She woke to the alarm at 7:01 a.m. and rolled out of bed. She meant to get up earlier and do that devotional but... This summer Terry Jane will get her priorities straight. Of course, that is what she said last summer also.

 

Can you relate to Terry Jane’s schedule and even her desire to spend time with God? Terry Jane means well; she just never gets around to putting her priorities in order. What if she made a three-month commitment to God to spend a few minutes a day with him? Does that seem that difficult? How about you? What if you made a three-month commitment to God to spend ten minutes a day with him? Can you do that? Do you have the time? Is it worth the energy? You know it is.

 

Today, make a commitment to give God ten minutes a day for the next three months. These devotionals can assist you in your times with God. It is a challenge from me to you. Here’s my guarantee: if you spend ten minutes a day with God on a regular basis for three months you won’t be the same person you were. Okay, it’s a challenge, right? Go for it. You’ll be glad you did .

To comment on today's devotional, click here .


       

GOING DEEPER:

1.    Will you make a commitment today to give God ten minutes each day for the next three months?

2.  How might this scriptural promise motivate you: Joshua 1:8 ?

FURTHER READING:

PSALM OF PRAISE:

Happy are those whose lives are faultless, who live according to the law of the LORD. Happy are those who follow his commands, who obey him with all their heart. They never do wrong; they walk in the LORD’s ways. How can a young man keep his life pure? By obeying your commands. With all my heart I try to serve you; keep me from disobeying your commandments. I keep your law in my heart so that I will not sin against you.—Psalm 119:1-3,9-11


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