Priorities.

This past week I saw a story in the news about a woman who was pulled over for having a gas can strapped into a car seat.  You may be thinking, “Why would she be pulled over for that?” Well the problem was that her baby was out of the car seat with no seat belt on. 

As I read this story I thought about how crazy it is that you would think it would be more important to protect your gas can than to protect your baby. It’s obvious to see in this story that this woman had her priorities mixed up. She was putting too much emphasis on the wrong thing. I wonder how often in your own life this happens… not specifically caring more about your gas can than your baby, but you putting emphasis on things in your life that really don’t matter. 

Proverbs 21:2-3 says:

“People may be right in their own eyes, but the Lord examines their heart. The Lord is more pleased when we do what is right and just than when we offer him sacrifices.”

What Solomon is saying here is that God sees past what every one else sees and in the end, He is more concerned with what’s right than the sacrifice or what is seen on the outside. This verse speaks so loudly to me because so often in my life I get it backwards. I put much more emphasis on the sacrifice or what is seen than what is actually right and in my heart. What starts to happen in my own life is I begin to become like that woman with her gas can; I start to take what’s important and set it aside for what’s less important. What in your life matters most? Is it seeking after God, doing what is right, and protecting your relationship with him at all cost? Or are you more concerned with how people perceive you than how God actually sees you?

Proverbs 8:17 says:

“I love all those who love me; those who search will surely find Me.”

He promises that if we seek Him, we will find Him. The problem is that it’s hard to seek after him if most of our time and energy is being put into seeking after the approval and acceptance of those around us.

Which matters most to you, what God sees in you or what those around you see in you? 


- Brad Snipes
Middle School Pastor, BCC