Whether it’s sports, fashion, cooking, family, work or cars we all have our priorities.
As men, many of us obsess over sports. We listen to sports radio, we talk about injured players, we even cheer “fantasy” teams. For other men, it’s a near obsession over work…to win and be #1.
For women it might be Cosmo, Oprah, romance novels, work, a clean house, popular friends or lots of disposable income…and the right purse(s). 
Nothing wrong with any of these for sure…but the question we might want to ask is “are we living balanced lives…or are we out of balance, leaving out or glossing over vital parts of our true selves.”
Of course, where we spend our time, what we think a lot about and where we spend our money tells the tale.
As singer Jimmy Needham put it, in his song Clear the Stage, “anything I can’t stop thinking about is an idol”. That’s a powerful idea.
The Bible, in Exodus 20:3, says “Thou shalt have no other gods before me.”
So, what are we to do? Give up football? Give up a clean home? Give up purses or friends?
No, of course not.
I think the answer can be found in scripture….
Matthew 6:33 “But seek first his kingdom and his righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well.”
In other words, if we seek God first, all the other things in the world will be put in their proper place. When we seek Him first, many, if not all, of the “other” things we seek will be in alignment with His will.
I’m learning that the Christian faith is not about dividing up the day and giving a certain portion of it to God. Like there’s football time and then God time. It’s about giving God the entire day. Then He guides us through the day with peace, wisdom and strength….even if it is watching football, buying purse or making new friends.
It’s been said that marriage is a 50-50 endeavor…meeting your mate at the half-way mark. That’s untrue. Marriage is a 100% – 100% endeavor; each person giving 100%.
The same is true with faith.
We can’t dole out 10% or 12% or 24% of our life to our faith and then proudly say “We’re faithful to God”. That’s an Old Testament idea. Like a 10% tithe is to giving. God doesn’t ask for 10% of our money, He asks for our entire lives – He wants our hearts!
And when we die daily to ourselves and give Him everything, He gives us back the most wonderful, spectacular life you could ever ask for. Not perfect, and sometimes tough, but wonderfully adventurous and secure in His provision.
Consider the words to Jimmy Needham’s song:
- We must not worship something that’s not even worth it.
- Make some space for the one that deserves it.
- Anything I put before my God is an idol.
- Anything I want with all my heart is an idol.
- Anything I can’t stop thinking of is an idol.
- And anything I give all my love is an idol.
Let’s give God our all this year – 2015. Let’s not cheat our Maker. Let’s go “all in” to the one that deserves it…our all-loving Creator and King.
