Wednesday Wisdom: Put your relationship to God first

“Whenever there are competing concerns in your life, be sure you always put your relationship to God first.” (Oswald Chambers)

Oh how easy it can be for our eyes to focus on everyone and everything other than God, when the thing we ought to be doing is directing our gaze always towards Him! We’re promised that when we keep our eyes on God, we won’t be shaken. (Psalm 16:8)

In his “Look Again and Think” devotional, found in the book My Utmost for His Highest, Oswald Chambers puts it in perspective so fittingly:

““I say to you, do not worry about your life….” Our Lord says to be careful only about one thing— our relationship to Him. But our common sense shouts loudly and says, “That is absurd, I must consider how I am going to live, and I must consider what I am going to eat and drink.” Jesus says you must not. Beware of allowing yourself to think that He says this while not understanding your circumstances. Jesus Christ knows our circumstances better than we do, and He says we must not think about these things to the point where they become the primary concern of our life. Whenever there are competing concerns in your life, be sure you always put your relationship to God first.”

How hard that can be! Am I putting my relationship with Christ before family, work, my own interests? Am I without worry? No! Just yesterday, I was praying to the Lord that I would learn to cast my cares on Him. It’s so easy to get caught up in our circumstances, in the moment, and take our eyes off God.

Chambers goes on to say this:

““Sufficient for the day is its own trouble” (Matthew 6:34). How much trouble has begun to threaten you today? What kind of mean little demons have been looking into your life and saying, “What are your plans for next month— or next summer?” Jesus tells us not to worry about any of these things. Look again and think. Keep your mind on the “much more” of your heavenly Father (Matthew 6:30).”

I know that I need this reminder everyday: “Whenever there are competing concerns in your life, be sure you always put your relationship to God first.” (Oswald Chambers)

You can read more of Oswald Chambers “Look Again and Think” devotional from My Utmost for His Highest on Utmost.org .