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Wednesday, September 21, 2005
Putting First Things First
I entered seminary in January of 1995. Well, the second time. There was a short stint in 1987 which neither Dallas Theological or myself are very anxious to bring up, but I returned in January of 1985.
It was on the heels of a terribly exciting youth ministry. I was working with Youth for Christ reaching out to high school students on public high school campuses and by any measure of success, we had it. Not to mention that it was simply a lot of fun being newly married and building all these relationships with teenagers...lives were changed, fun was had, and life-long relationships were built.
I was experiencing professional recognition as well. I was promoted through the organization into a position where I was managing volunteers and writing some stuff for little in-house ministry idea books and I actually got promoted to Executive Director.
Which is what literally exhausted me...and gave me an ulcer.
See, the business end of the ministry was in trouble. I was working long difficult hours trying to save the ministry from going under, and at the same time trying not to let the kids see the stress and pressure. Not to mention this eerie feeling that my gifts were primarily in the area of discipleship, not evangelism.
I'm going a long way to tell you this: Upon my arrival, seminary was a much needed breath of fresh air in my life at that time. This high-pressure, high-stress lifestyle had taken it's toll, and knowing that I would have two years to focus on the study of God's Word and ministry training to enhance my experience was just what the doctor ordered.
And I put first things first.
My prayer life was as fervent and vibrant as ever.
My time in the word was life changing and I really felt like every day I was getting to know God more and more deeply. Some days, in class, I would simply tear up at the idea of God and His mercy and grace to me.
My time in fellowship was great as I was getting to know so many cool seminary friends. Even found a church with some folks that became our best friends...who we even shared a duplex with them.
My family life was resuming normalcy.
My jobs I had to support us weren't very demanding.
Until...
...somehow...
...someway...
...I lost sight of the most important things. It took about six months, I guess.
My prayer life became the last thing on my to-do list instead of the first (or constant).
My time in the Word became just another assignment.
Friends began to take a backseat to pretty much everything else.
My jobs began demanding more hours...and the ministry was talking off, and well, me and kids...well, I'm a sucker.
First things were now last. My own little topsy-turvy priorities.
Which is why I enjoy the story in John 21 regarding Peter. Remember, after we left off yesterday, they had gone fishing...and caught nothing, and then figured out who Jesus was in a serious case of deja vu.
So, we pick it up in John 21: 7 from The Message:
"When Simon Peter realized that it was the Master, he threw on some clothes, for he was stripped for work, and dove into the sea. The other disciples came in by boat for they weren't far from land, a hundered yards or so, pulling along the net full of fish. When they got out of the boat, they saw a fire laid, with fish and bread cooking on it.
As we usually see in Scripture, Peter was a man of action. He was working...fishing all night, and now part of the day...because he was tired of waiting on Christ again. Not knowing where or when He'd show up again, he decided to go fishing. Besides, it what he did for a living, and a little cash couldn't hurt, right?
He fished all night without success. A "stranger" on land told him to fish the other side of the boat. Peter obeyed.
And then realized that it was Jesus on the shore.
He threw on his clothes, which had been discarded for ease of working, and simply dove in the water. He splashed to shore. Swam about 100 yards or so...and I can't imagine what was going through his mind.
He'd betrayed Jesus.
I'm sure he wanted to restore the relationship (but not as much as Jesus did, as we'll find out tomorrow).
Not knowing when or if he'd see Jesus again, he had to go see Him.
But what about the fish?
Not for Peter. There were 153 of thos suckers. Big ones. Cash in the nets. The other discples had that under control, apparently...in the little boats.
But Peter had the most important thing on his mind.
For whatever reason, it was to drop everything and get where Jesus was.
I'm encouraged by his reality that his relationship was more important than anything else at that time. Money. Friends. Power. Prestige. None of it mattered. It all paled in comparision to whatever time he could get with Jesus.
And that encourages me.
And humbles me.
So for today, what tends to get in the way of our putting first things first? How do we avoid those pitfalls and traps?
Brent 3:27 AM
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