Who Is Your Number One...?

It's finally Saturday! All week long I fantasized about spending at least one morning in bed. And here I sit...at my kitchen table... at 6:07 am on Saturday. Go figure....

I'm all wide eyed and bushy tailed awake without even the slightest drop of coffee. The nerve of me! :-)

Since I'm up, I decided to get a jump start on my time with the Lord by going over today's daily devotional. I'm quite fond of a monthly publication from Dr. Charles Stanley called "In Touch". They are nice enough to mail me a copy each month, that's quite easy to carry around in my tote on travel or even to the office. Personally, I love how seasoned Dr. Stanley is in his walk and I find his messages oh so real and inspiring.

Today's devotional was entitled, "Relying on Something Other Than God." The selected text came from Mark 10:21. In a nutshell, it's the part of the bible that discusses how difficult it is for the rich to enter into the kingdom of heaven.

I have to admit that I've read this part of the bible before. But for whatever reason, today's reading of the same verses meant something different to my spirit.

Does that ever happen to anyone else other than myself? You'll encounter something time and time again, but for whatever reason, today's encounter hits just the right spot of your spirit, to let you know there is something MUCH MORE present. Like a secret voice, letting you know there is a a lesson to be learned in that moment.

Regardless, I had a moment where I felt a complete epiphany revealed onto my life. As I studied the scripture and its meaning further, it was brought to my attention how some (me) can become self-reliant, as certain comforts are afforded to us in life.

Perhaps its a plethora of obligations (a new non-profit committee board you sit on?) or a new super important job (promotion at a new organization?) that you've prayed for! Whatever the reason, it should never replace or come before spending time with God.

When we do put these things (or anything) ahead of spending true time with God, these same things can become idols to us. Sometimes without us really realizing it. Thus, we may begin to unknowingly worship these things--which is a MAJOR issue.

I used to always hear people, at my home church, say/sing/preach about holding on to God's unchanging hand. Let's just stop here for a moment and dig deeper. God will never change his love for us, but sometimes we decide (for whatever reason) that we don't necessarily need God as much during certain seasons of our lives. This is decided by how much time we actually devote to him.

During the not so great seasons of life, we are usually found on our faces before God. While during better seasons, we tend to get more relaxed. I'm also guilty of this. But what I've realized, especially after some growth during the current year, is  despite any experience (busy, not busy, baller phase, non-baller phase, high or low), we should not risk honoring anything or anyone before our intimate relationship with God.

In fact, we should live each moment of life as example of what God has done for us. So much so, that people can see our faith oozing out of us in our day-to-day walk.

Who will be your one number today?