Letters From Sydney: Priorities - Darlene Zschech
Hey lovely people. Wherever this issue finds you, I pray that you are doing great, whether in the valley or on the mountaintop, for our God is so faithful and is the very best at simply meeting with us wherever we are.
Today I want to speak to each of you about your priorities, and ask you how you are doing when it comes to keeping the main thing the main thing in your own list of priorities.
First ThingsGod Himself keeps the list fairly straightforward for each of us as He reminds us many times throughout the Word, to love Him with all our heart, soul, mind and strength, and to love our neighbors as ourselves. Mattew 6 says to seek first the kingdom of God and all these things will be added unto you. Sounds easy, but how often have each of us gotten ourselves tied up in knots over simply being too busy, too preoccupied in mind and heart with trivial endeavors and in the struggle for keeping up with everyone else? In the cultures of success many of us live in, we can easily fail to meet the cry of God's heart for our lives, and we settle again for the praises of man rather than the peace of God.
Life in the 21st century, as magnificent and convenient as technology has allowed, is largely void of space in our everydays for meditating on God and waiting for His voice-unless you have made this a priority.
In Revelation chapter 2, the Lord commends the Ephesian leaders for their hard work, but challenges their reasoning by saying that in their eagerness to work for God, they had become so distracted that their hearts were not pointed toward God. Their hands full, but their hearts empty. Leaving your first love for the Father doesn't normally happen in an instant; it happens gradually as the value of the relationship with God begins to be squeezed out by well-meaning activity. Revelation 2:5 says to the leaders, "Now remember and repent, or I will return and remove your light."
Very sobering. And remember, it is only because of His light and life in us that we have anything to sing or say, and more than that, a reason for every breath. In Him we live and move and have our being.
Ensure Your PrioritiesI've had to learn to put some boundaries around my life, my resources and my time to ensure that I have taken responsibility for the season I am in. Where I am now is where I have been placed to serve and love my family, my church family, my neighbor and my Lord. And rather than having a list of things that I have to do, and putting "read the Bible" and "pray" on the top of my list (sounds like religion to me!), over time, this relationship with Jesus has become the most critical connection I have as His Word has literally become food for my entire being. Thus the choice to worship becomes a necessary priority in your life, rather than another rule to follow.
Here's a little checkup to do to discover what you really value in your world. Take a careful look at where you spend your time, your energy and your finance. This list is what you really value. And if it shocks you or doesn't truly represent your heart's desire then its time to take action and make some changes.
Get StraightWith much love I say, "Pay attention to the putting things right in your world that are out of balance, or simply wrong." As my husband says, sometimes to get truthful with yourself is the hardest things to do, but the fruit is well worth it. And God rewards fruit, not activity. As leaders, pastors and worship pastors in this incredible season in history, simply remember that as you are shepherding and loving others to Jesus, make sure you have prioritized loving Him and being fuelled in His presence, yourself. There is no substitute. Lets start a revolution of truth, of love, of grace, of family, of forgiveness and of worship that shakes nations and compels us to a closer walk with Jesus. Okay, and as I am female, and a songwriter, I will endeavor to write less words next time.
Love you and totally believe in you.
Darlene Z.
