But first

This morning, I woke up with a long list of things that I need to get done. There’s an app redesign, a completely unexpected invasion of really tiny ants that needs to be dealt with, a message to finish, an appointment to make, a few more appointments to keep, and the list goes on. Side note, if any of you has a fix for getting rid of tiny ants, please share it with me! I don’t want this to become a giANT problem. Like I said, there’s a list.

But first, I made coffee and spent time with Jesus.

“But first.”

“But first” is a simple two-word reminder that there are some things that deserve first priority. It doesn’t mean everything else isn’t important, just that everything else isn’t important enough to demand our first attention, first energy, or first commitment.

Priorities are like rungs on a ladder, and when the first ones are missing, it’s nearly impossible to utilize the others. “But first” causes me to ask the soul-searching question, “What am I giving my best to?”

Jesus understood the principle of first things and highlighted it during His famous sermon. He knew that when we got our hearts focused on Him and His kingdom, we’d be prepared for whatever else the day might bring.

But seek first his kingdom and his righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well. (‭‭Matthew‬ ‭6:33‬ ‭NIV, emphasis mine)

There are a million things that demand our attention, but only a few things that deserve our affection. The temptation is to jump right in and start attacking all those other things. To give the best of ourselves to things that might not make us better.

But first, pause. Slow down. Breathe. Remember the God who is already working behind the scenes on all those things that are screaming for your attention. He feeds the birds and clothes the flowers. How much more will He take care of us?

Even little, tiny ants.

How fANTastic is that?!

Photo by Possessed Photography on Unsplash

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