If a disciple is someone who is following Jesus, is being changed by Jesus, and is on the mission of Jesus, how does that impact our priorities in life? I take what some see as a radical view and believe that Jesus actually meant it when He said, “Deny yourself, take up your cross, and follow Me.” What that means is that HE IS our priority. There is no other.

The question that each of us must ask is, “What does it look like for me to keep Jesus first in my life?” What would your workplace look like if Jesus was actually first in all you said and did? What about your community and your family? Your “free” time? We give lip service to the commands to love God with our heart, soul, mind, and strength; but what would our lives look like if we actually intended to live that out every hour of every day?

I don’t know about you, but I am easily distracted. I start out with good intentions and soon find myself wondering what happened. Busyness takes over my schedule, and I wonder how my priorities are being reflected. I will wake up again tomorrow knowing that TODAY, I need to choose Jesus first. And the struggle will ensue as “good” things compete for my attention. We need a revival, and I need for it to start with me.

Let’s pray for each other that God would so capture our hearts and minds that we can’t look away, and let’s commit to living out His values and priorities in every relationship that we have. If it feels like a struggle, it is. But it is worth the effort, so fight to keep your heart and mind aligned with His.

written by Norman Smith, originally created for the WARBC Regional Connect blog, 8/28/24