December 13: Who Comes First?

December 13:

Luke 1:14-17 “He will be a joy and delight to you, and many will rejoice because of his birth, for he will be great in the sight of the Lord. He is never to take wine or other fermented drink, and he will be filled with the Holy Spirit even from birth.  Many of the people of Israel will he bring back to the Lord their God.  And he will go on before the Lord, in the spirit and power of Elijah, to turn the hearts of the fathers to their children and the disobedient to the wisdom of the righteous--to make ready a people prepared for the Lord."

Several years ago, I attended a Women’s Retreat where the speaker used a clever illustration to underscore the importance prioritizing one’s life so that God is first. She began with a mixing bowl of golf balls, a quart of sand, and an empty water pitcher.  The golf balls represented God, and the sand represented us and our agendas. 

First, she poured the sand into the pitcher; then, she tried to put the golf balls into the pitcher.  Obviously, there wasn’t enough room to fit them all in.  The speaker explained the ultimate failure of putting our agendas before God’s.  When we put ourselves first, God gets our leftovers, and there isn’t enough room in our schedules to do what He asks.

Then, she re-did the illustration.  This time, however, she filled the pitcher with the golf balls first. It was a tight squeeze, but they all fit.  Then, she lifted the sand and poured it over the golf balls, and we watched as it filled in the cracks and crevices. The message was clear.  If God is first, we don’t have to worry about our agendas. We will accomplish exactly what He wants to and to the extent He wants us to accomplish it.

Obviously, the way in which we prioritize our lives is an indication of what we value most.  When God doesn't have the top spot, joy and fulfillment aren't in our top ten either. Likewise, serving God feels like work, and it's all because WE have made it feel like work. 

As we serve God, our actions are usually rooted in good intention.  However, the condition and motivation of our hearts is where things often go awry.  Let’s face it. Sometimes, we do stuff for God because it seems like the right thing to do at the time.  Guilt, potential embarrassment, and even peer pressure compel us to do good works because it’s just easier.  In these situations, it’s clear that we are putting ourselves - our desires, attitudes, and concerns – before God. When that happens, good works just feel like plain, old work. It saps our energy and brings little, if any, joy.

If we put God first and concentrate on maintaining a strong, personal relationship with Him, our actions are a joyful service to Him. We do what He asks because it is a reciprocation of the love we share.   There is no over-thinking, only response to God’s prompting. We feel energized – more alive than we have ever felt – because we are fulfilled and truly living our purpose.

In today’s verse, John the Baptist is described as just such a man. The angel explains that John will “be great in the sight of the Lord” and “he will be filled with the Holy Spirit even from birth” (Luke 1:15).

John’s life purpose will be to “turn the hearts of the fathers to their children and the disobedient to the wisdom of the righteous – to make ready a people prepared for the Lord” (Luke 1:17).

Essentially, John’s life work was to restore relationships among the people and to help them reform their ways of living and thinking. At the time when John began his work, the people were apparently divided when it came to religious views; this included families.  John’s task, as directed by the Holy Spirit, was to work toward eliminating the divisions and fighting. 

In addition, John needed to not only show the people the error of their ways; he also needed to lead them to repentance and a renewed commitment to Christ. Then, when Christ was born and living among them on the Earth, they would not only be anticipating His presence; they would be receptive to His teaching.

Basically, John would be fighting an uphill battle throughout the duration of his life.  It certainly wasn’t a task for the faint of heart.

Good thing it was promised that John the Baptist’s heart would always be filled with the Holy Spirit.  The energy, attitude, and conviction he would need would flow directly from the Source. 

It’s definitely a lesson for us to take to heart.  If God remains first in my heart, mind, and schedule, my work for him won’t feel like work.  As the Newsboys affirm in the song, “Amazing Love, “I know it's true.  It’s my joy to honor You. In all I do, let me honor You.”

Let me honor you vs. I have to honor you.  One verb creates energy while the other sucks it.  I know which I prefer; how about you?

Isaiah 40:31 “But those who hope in the Lord will renew their strength. They will soar on wings like eagles; they will run and not grow weary, they will walk and not be faint.”

I Thessalonians 5:18 “⁸ Give thanks in all circumstances; for this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus.”

Challenge: Be a grateful person today. Thank five people today for something specific, even for the little things.