Pursue God’s Will Above All Else

Above all else. Living life demands priority. We wake up each morning with our “to do’s” and “honey do’s,” but when it comes right down to it, no matter how important the list may be, there can only be one “Number one.” Even for the most proficient multi-tasker, you can still truly only focus on one thing at a time. I remember when I was given my first “organizer.” This was pre-iPhone days, so we are talking the small binder with all sorts of tabs that gave you means to write down everything you need to do by the hour, by the day, by the month, and so on. It had tabs for contacts, and pockets for receipts. I mean it had everything. I even went to a class on how to use it. But you know what, in the end I reverted to management by list and Sticky Notes. And even with the “Gee-whiz” technology and apps of today, I still pretty much use a pad of paper. Now don’t get me wrong, organization and prioritization are important, but in the end, there is still a pecking order of things to be done with only one “number one.” In today’s passages, Paul is cautioning his readers…and this includes us… that our “number one” must always be the pursuit of God’s will. Romans 8:28 says, “And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose.” As followers of Christ, we KNOW that God, in all things, works for the good of those who love Him. In this passage, “works” is an active verb. Meaning God is not “one and done.” He is actively working. Why? Because He has given us a calling to His purpose. That is and must always be our number one purpose. As the reminder of this passage continues, this purpose is to be conformed to the image of His son, Christ. Romans 12:1-2 gives us the “how” of being conformed. To offer ourselves a living sacrifice, to be transformed by the renewing of our minds, and to be able to “be able to test and approve what God’s will is—his good, pleasing and perfect will.” The world tells us, “Act fast” and “Do it now.” We must ask ourselves if we are acting fast on God’s will first? When we make pursuing God’s will above all else, whether our marriage, family life, job, and even ministry, we must always keep the main thing the main thing, pursuing God’s will. And when we keep that our priority, all our other priorities fall into place.