Soul Over Schedule

Prioritizing What Matters Most

Not terribly long ago, I was running late for work. Mind you, that isn’t all that uncommon, because frankly, I’m just not a morning person. So, in the busyness of the morning rush, I took a shower - Probably too long, but OHHHHHHHHHHHHhhhhhh, so necessary. Got dressed, went down to the kitchen to get some lunch togeter, make a pot of coffee, gather up all of my necessities and running out the door… One problem. Rowdy hadn’t gotten up with me and was still, I thought upstairs lounging. Well… He was by the back door saying, “Daddy, I must go potty…” Ok… Out the door he goes, does his thing and comes back and says, “Daddy, I wuf you, can you rub my belly?” Sure Row, now I gotta go… He then says, “Daddy, there seems to be something missing in my bowls.” Now, I’m really running late, but Rowdy needs food and water too. So, I take care of that. So, I’m ready to leave right? NOPE! Rowdy wants more lovin’. OK buddy, I really love you, but daddy’s got to go! So, Scratch, scratch, scratch, pet, pet, pet. hug and kiss. gotta go! Out the door, start the car, look around…

Guess who forgot his lunch on the counter? YUP. This guy. So, back inside, and who’s at the door wagging his tail acting like I’ve been gone for days? YUP. Rowdy. Process begins again because evidently, Rowdy needed another visit outside. Of course, I’m thinking, “I’m sooooo late!” And Rowdy, he’s just like, “I wuf you daddy…stay home and play with me.”

Rowdy teaches me a lot of lessons. When I come home, it doesn’t matter what kind of day I had, he’s just there, waiting, tail wagging so hard, you’d think he’d break in half! “Daddy’s home!”

1. Choosing Connection Over Chores

Even while working on today’s Sermon, Rowdy was needing attention ~ a lot of it mostly because we had my son’s doggie too. Sandi is sweet, but she’s a LOT! I capture a thought…Doggies needing attention…Capture a thought…Doggies needing attention… rinse and repeat…

Isn’t that how we’re supposed to be with God? He just wants our attention, but we are so busy!

Maybe, if I just put off some business, and sit at God’s feet…

Our Gospel reading gives us some insight…

Luke 10:38–39 ESV

38 Now as they went on their way, Jesus entered a village. And a woman named Martha welcomed him into her house. 39 And she had a sister called Mary, who sat at the Lord’s feet and listened to his teaching.

This week, we celebrated the well-lived life of our dear sweet Tulip. As I was working on the service and trying to make sure I had all the “i’s” dotted and “t’s” crossed, it struck me, this was Tulip’s life, sitting at the feet of Jesus…

Luke 10:40 ESV

40 But Martha was distracted with much serving. And she went up to him and said, “Lord, do you not care that my sister has left me to serve alone? Tell her then to help me.”

You see, there’s so much to do! I don’t have time to stop and just sit. ~ ANYWHERE! FOR ANYTHING OR ANYONE!

But here’s Mary, sitting.

2. Focusing on the Better Part

We all have so many important things to do. Jobs, house repairs, cleaning, laundry, pick up the kids from soccer practice, mow the grass, feed the dog, make dinner, clean up the dishes… The list goes on and on and here’s what Jesus says…

Luke 10:41–42 ESV

41 But the Lord answered her, “Martha, Martha, you are anxious and troubled about many things, 42 but one thing is necessary. Mary has chosen the good portion, which will not be taken away from her.”

Jesus wasn’t saying that these things weren’t important, just that Martha needed to be focused on what was most important.

Mary's choice to sit and listen at Jesus' feet is affirmed as the 'better' part, a reminder that spiritual nourishment is more crucial than a bustling schedule. What could be more important than Christ's invitation to prioritize spiritual formation over mere activity, encouraging us to find rest in Him first.

3. Making Christ Central to Life

While all of the tasks of life may be important, we need to recognize that our Spiritual health should absolutely take Center Stage of every part of our lives. I know many may think and some will say that I preach to long. ~ That could be true. Maybe. But, let’s put that argument into context with what Paul said to the Colossians.

Colossians 1:15–20 ESV

15 He is the image of the invisible God, the firstborn of all creation. 16 For by him all things were created, in heaven and on earth, visible and invisible, whether thrones or dominions or rulers or authorities—all things were created through him and for him. 17 And he is before all things, and in him all things hold together. 18 And he is the head of the body, the church. He is the beginning, the firstborn from the dead, that in everything he might be preeminent. 19 For in him all the fullness of God was pleased to dwell, 20 and through him to reconcile to himself all things, whether on earth or in heaven, making peace by the blood of his cross.

Paul is making argument that Jesus is foremost in everything. There should be no other agenda that is more important. Yeah, so you’re busy. I get it. Yeah, your attention span is limited. I get it. Yeah, your seat is sore. I get it!

But what is more important than learning of God?

Jesus holds all things together.

In a world driven by constant motion, recognizing Christ as the center brings peace and reorients our priorities.

What is dominating your time, your attention, your focus? If it’s not Christ, then your priorities are FAR OUT OF WHACK!

We should be making Christ preeminent in our lives so that all aspects of our being align with His purpose, offering true rest and fulfillment.

4. Warning Against Spiritual Famine

The world is worried about gas prices, food prices, medical costs, housing costs, wages, taxes, you name it. What they are not worried about is the condition of their souls. There is a famine coming. A literal one. People are going to be dying and their souls will be lost. What greater loss than a soul because we were too busy to feast on Jesus’ Word?

Amos prophesied this. We should pay attention!

Amos 8:11–12 ESV

11 “Behold, the days are coming,” declares the Lord God, “when I will send a famine on the land— not a famine of bread, nor a thirst for water, but of hearing the words of the Lord. 12 They shall wander from sea to sea, and from north to east; they shall run to and fro, to seek the word of the Lord, but they shall not find it.

I am seeing multiple trends that are greatly disturbing:

Churches are closing their doors because people are not coming.

Churches are watering down the Gospel in hopes of remaining “relavant.”

Churches are teaching false “gospels.”

Churches are being led more and more by charlatans and frauds.

The words of Amos are coming true. YOU do not have these problems in this church.

What is keeping us too busy to neglect our God? What is it that makes us think we can satisfy the yearning for the image of the invisible God? What is it that makes us think we can be satified with productivity, while we wander aimlessly hoping to fit the square peg in the round hole. This is ignoring our spiritual needs in favor of temporal gains and pleasures.

Only God’s Word and true intimacy with Him leads us to true fulfillment.