(If you missed the first two posts from my Freedom Series, be sure to go back and catch up! To read, Freedom from Burdens, click here, and to read, Freedom from Sin and Death click here.)
Today’s post is on Freedom from Worldly Priorities. The reason I chose this freedom is because I needed a reminder about what is really important, here. I wanted to study it out and share, because I believe this is the type of freedom that can benefit us all – no matter what we do in our lives.
There have been many times where my priorities were those of The World, and not what God wanted for me. I spent too much time listening to other people and not enough time listening to God. And, I was definitely not in alignment with God’s plan.
So don’t be proud of following the wise men of this world. For God has already given you everything you need.
1 Corinthians 3:21.
So, God has already given me everything I need. How come I feel compelled to go after more? To gather more stuff, or money, or accomplishments??
Because The World Tells Me To…
Following Worldly Priorities
I don’t know about you, but I never seem to measure up to where I think I should be, or what I think I should have accomplished by now. In fact, even now, as a Home Manager, there are times when I tend to answer those who ask, ‘what I do,’ in a much quieter voice than normal.
Why?
Why should I care so much about what someone else thinks about my role in my family? How come it bothers me when they hear that I stay home and tilt their head to the side and say, ‘Oh’?
None of this should matter – At All. At this point in my life, I truly believe this is where I am supposed to be – doing what I am supposed to be doing.
And, if I’m being 100% honest, there were times when I was working outside the home when I didn’t believe I should have been. Not all times, but there were times…
So, how come I happily answered those who questioned my occupation at those times? Even when I wasn’t sure that’s what I should have been doing in the first place?
Because, to the rest of the world, my priorities were lined up. I was working 11-12 hour days during the week, and bringing home even more to do on the weekend. I was earning a decent paycheck and we were Living the Dream…
The turning point came when I went out to the kitchen to join my family for lunch one Saturday. I apologized for working – again – but promised them I was almost done for the day. And, then, Eliana said,
“That’s ok, Mama, I know I never see you on the weekends, anyway.”
Ouch.
Not gonna lie – that hurt. A lot.
But, it was the truth.
Time = Priorities
So, I’m not going to go into gender roles, or bash those who work outside of the home, or pander to those who don’t. None of this is about staying home, or working outside of the home, what kind of job you have, or any of that.
Nope, this is really about priorities. My Mom has always said something that can have a bit of a sting from time to time.
“You can tell what your priorities are because that’s where you spend your time. “
So, on that fateful day when my daughter made me choke on my grilled cheese sandwich and tomato soup, I had prioritized work – way too many times.
Again – not bashing work here, just an illustration…
Because, it doesn’t just apply to those who work outside of the home. I know that I could easily prioritize housework over all else very easily. There is literally ALWAYS something that could be done around this house. Whether it is cleaning, organizing, laundry, a project in this room, or some painting in another, I could definitely find things that would take my time and priorities away from what God wants me to do.
And, it’s pretty easy to let those things consume all your time. A while back, I purchased the book, Margin, and it is on my list of books to read this year. Brad started reading it recently, and I am excited to hear his thoughts. I know how important it is to set aside time and not allow ourselves to be pulled in to the timetables and expectations of The World.
So, how do we do that?
Prioritize God
Basically, we need to prioritize God and do as Paul instructs in Romans –
Do not conform to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God’s will is—his good, pleasing and perfect will. Romans 12:2
We renew our minds by getting in the Word daily and praying for guidance. By asking God to lead and direct us, we can help end our personal quest to get what the World tells us we should have.
Can you imagine the freedom in that?
In everything you do, put God first, and He will direct you and crown your efforts with success. Proverbs 3:6
In The World, we get so hung up on being validated by everyone else, that we can easily disregard the One opinion that really matters – God’s.
Do you think He cares what kind of paycheck I get? Or how many cars we have? Or if my guest bath still needs to be painted?
Of course not!
So, why should I be worried that people might judge me because I have some outdated wallpaper?
I shouldn’t.
Stop fooling yourselves. If you count yourself above average in intelligence, as judged by this world’s standards, you had better put this all aside and be a fool rather than let it hold you back from the true wisdom from above. For the wisdom of this world is foolishness to God. As it says in the book of Job, God uses man’s own brilliance to trap him; he stumbles over his own “wisdom” and falls. And again, in the book of Psalms, we are told that the Lord knows full well how the human mind reasons, and how foolish and futile it is. 1 Corinthians 3:18-20 (NIV emphasis mine)
There you go. The wisdom of this world is foolishness to the One on whom I should base all things. If He says it is foolish, then, it really doesn’t matter – does it?
Now What?
In the end, I choose to accept the Freedom from Worldly Priorities that God is offering. I am done being ruled by the World and its priorities.
If you will humble yourselves under the mighty hand of God, in His good time He will lift you up. 1 Peter 5:6
In the grand scheme of things, the color of my bathroom has no impact on anything. And, even though it is not worthy of being pictured in a magazine – it certainly should not stop me from having people over to my house.
God wants us to fellowship and share meals together and be together.
And, nowhere in the Bible is there a condition about a freshly painted bathroom…
Your Thoughts?
How about you? Do you find yourself being caught up in Worldly Priorities or have you accepted freedom from them? What verses have helped you weaken their hold on you? I would love to hear your favorites. I can’t wait to hear from all of you!
