Have you ever taken a moment to really evaluate where your time and attention goes? If we were to track how we spend each hour of our day, the results would reveal a lot about our priorities. For many of us, the things we care about most naturally rise to the top of our to-do lists. We bend over backward, rearrange our schedules, and make sacrifices for what we truly value. But what happens when something doesn’t seem to directly affect us, or when our interest wanes? Too often, those things get pushed to the margins, if they make it onto our radar at all.
This reality leads to a challenging question: Where does God fit into our daily lives? Jesus said in Matthew 6:33, “But seek first His kingdom and His righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well.” We know this verse well, but does our daily routine reflect it? Are we seeking God first, or is He getting whatever time is left over after we’ve handled everything else?
In my own life, I’ve seen how easy it is to prioritize work, hobbies, and even other relationships over my relationship with God. I’ll dive headfirst into a project or spend hours on an interest that captivates me. But when it comes to prayer, studying Scripture, or even just spending quiet time with God, it’s easy to push these things aside, telling myself I’ll get to them later. However, that “later” can easily disappear.
This struggle isn’t new. Even in biblical times, God’s people wrestled with keeping Him at the center of their lives. The prophet Haggai rebuked the Israelites for building their own houses while neglecting the temple of God (Haggai 1:2-9). They had misplaced their priorities, focusing on their own comfort and success rather than on honoring God. The same can happen to us if we’re not careful.
This truth should challenge us to ask the question: Does my prayer life reflect that God is my top priority? Does the time I spend in His Word or the way I live my life show that I love Him above all else? Do my relationships and the way I treat others reflect the life of Jesus? If we find that our answers fall short, it’s probably time for us to realign our hearts and habits.
The good news is that God doesn’t demand perfection from us—He desires our hearts. James 4:8 encourages us, “Draw near to God, and He will draw near to you.” When we make the choice to seek Him first, even in small ways, we’ll find that He meets us with His presence and guidance. Our relationship with God is not just another item on our to-do list; it’s the foundation upon which everything else is built.
It’s important that we examine where our time and energy go and that we ask God to help us prioritize Him above all else. In doing so, we’ll not only grow closer to Him, but we’ll also experience the fullness of life that comes from living in His will.
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