11 Mar Keeping First Things First

“Keep ‘the main thing’ the main thing.” Have you ever heard that expression before or ones like it? Or perhaps, “keep your priorities straight.” I need to remind myself of sayings like these when life gets a little chaotic or overwhelming. When daily life gets so busy that you don’t know where to begin, it is helpful to stop and think, “what is the main thing, the one thing I must get done?” It helps to clear out the clutter and all the less important items that are pulling on you and demanding your attention. 

“Keeping first things first” not only helps give clarity and direction when overwhelmed, but having that mindset when entering into the day or week simply helps us to keep our priorities in their proper place making sure the most important stuff is at the top of our to-do list. This attitude gives proper order to our day and faithful productivity to check-lists. 

The Apostle Paul had his priority list too, for his ministry and for the church. What Paul preached and what he taught reflected what he held as the most important of all things. “For I delivered to you as of first importance what I also received: that Christ died for our sins in accordance with the Scriptures, that he was buried, that he was raised on the third day in accordance with the Scriptures” (1 Corinthians 15:3-4). 

These events and the significance of what these events mean for sinners was of “first importance” to Paul, and they are for you and me. During this season of Lent, we especially reflect on those particular events, why Christ willingly went through them, and what they mean for us. They are of first importance to God, who sent his son to accomplish the most important things; he died for you, he was buried for you, and he rose for you. Come join us, as together we will again be helped to keep our faith on “the main thing.” As we gather for worship over the next few weeks, the “first things” will be kept first and foremost – they are the most important things: Christ died and was risen for you! You are forgiven and free in Jesus.  Amen. 

-Pastor Darrin Sheek