Prioritizing the Strongholds On Our Life

Prioritizing the Strongholds On Our Life

Priority

1. a thing that is regarded as more important than another

2. the fact or condition of being regarded or treated as more important

3. the right to take precedence or to proceed before others

I cannot get this word out of my head. It has been lingering for weeks like a thick smoke relentlessly lifting after burning popcorn in the microwave. The stench alone is making me nauseous and my heart begins to ache again for all that has been lost because of this one simple word: Priority.

I grew up in church, but not one where Jesus was a priority. Instead, there was a God who had a son and he made it his priority to die on a cross, but that was about it. Having a personal relationship with Jesus Christ was almost frowned upon. I remember graduating high school, moving away, and making college life my priority to expand my wings.

Upon college graduation, I soared to new heights regarding my future career as something to take precedence in my life all the while marrying and starting a family. A few years down the road, my self-centeredness almost diminished, as my new regard of importance became my children.

Now, a juggle in the schedule here and a toss and turn there around the corner there has landed me with a new importance that is greater than anything else in my life. My Savior. My Lord. My God. He alone is my number one man. After that, everything else falls in to place. However, I did not get to this place in a twenty-four hour period. It has taken years of trial and errors, yes errors, recognition, and discipline.

Yet, so many times now I feel that people have their priorities all turned around. Their number one is their career, their phone, Social Networking, or anything else that has been chosen to take precedence before others especially when it comes to family relationships. It has been my observations lately that men in particular are choosing a different priority than what their wives would consider to be first.

With the ever-increasing ability to connect with technology, men are no longer hanging up their hats for the day and spending time with their family. Instead, their time seems to be spent either as a news junkie, on their phone or computer, or with a remote in their hand which leads to mundane entertainment. This fruitless connection with the world is creating men who are unwilling to stand up as courageous men of God to engage in a battle that is slowly eating away at a man’s ability to leave a legacy for his family. Instead, our homes are becoming loveless and empty. Shallow and frail.

Even King Solomon recognized years ago the significance of prioritizing Love as number one in life. He stated, “Better is a dinner of herbs where love is, Than a fatted calf with hatred” (Proverbs 15:17). What a harsh statement to make. In other words, it is better to have nothing of substance to eat and have love than it is to have a full stomach full of hatred.

“When did my family grow up so quickly?” My husband questioned one day. “When you were allowing other things to take precedence over their lives.” This is why my heart aches for all the loss that one simple word can cause. Priorities.

Time does not slow down unless God has commanded it to do so. Husbands. Fathers. Now is the time to invest in a legacy of Love. Teach the future generations to hang up their hats and dive in to something worth placing above everything else in life.

Why spend endless hours purchasing nothing but wasted time.  Instead, turn off the T.V. (There will always be another game) Shut off the phone.  (Yes, they can wait to hear from you).  Get off of your Social Media. (They can don’t need to know your every move). Stop allowing yourself to be controlled by time robbers whom like thieves in the night seek to steal, kill, and destroy your family (John 10:10 & 1Peter 5:8).

Instead, start producing ever bearing fruit that sprouts forth from rich soil, sun, and water.  Become involved in the youth.  Fellowship with those who will hold you accountable to your new priority.  Amaze and satisfy the desire of your family’s heart by becoming the true spiritual leader that God has called you to be.  Break free from the strongholds that have become your master and surrender them to the one true King so that you reorganize what takes precedence in your life.  For when you come before him with a clean heart, and you put God first in everything you do he will guide your steps.  “A man’s heart plans his way, but the Lord directs his steps.”(Proverbs 16:9)