Priorities

     Lewis Sperry Chafer, referring to a friend who was devoting most of his time and energy in pursuit of a most insignificant matter said, "He reminds me of a bulldog chasing a train: what's he going to do with it if he catches it?"  It is true that the fantasy of having a thing is more thrilling than having it.  Because, many times, once a person gets it he doesn't know what to do with it. 
     Countless people have gotten into trouble because they were driven by the fantasy of having what they should have left alone.  They allowed a fantasy to come in between their priorities and vows.  It is impossible to enumerate how many marriages and bright futures have been sacrificed for nothing more than a fantasy.  I know of people whose lives are broken and shattered today because their priorities were surrendered for a fantasy, a fantasy of having what was not suppose to be.  
     At the Milan Cathedral there are three inscriptions over the respective doorways.  Over the right-hand door there is this motto: "All that pleases is but for a moment."  Over the left-hand door the words are: "All that troubles is but for a moment."  But over the central door there is a simple sentence: "Nothing is important save that which is eternal."  The conclusion is: life has many opportunities and we are responsible for choosing the door that we walk through.  Also, we choose to follow a forbidden fantasy or to not be distracted from our most important priority.  So, consequences are the outcome of our own choosing. 
     There are certain things we need to let go of so our full potential can be attained.  During a flood in the hill country of Texas in 1978 there was a lady who needlessly lost her life.  Her daughter told reporters, "My mother did not climb the tree with us.  She lost her way before we got to the tree.  See, she always kept every little bill and slip and stuff.  She would not let go of her purse with those papers in it."  It was revealed that the family was trying to make a human chain, holding hands to get through the water.  But the mother had her insurance papers all gathered up in her hands and wouldn't drop those documents.  So she just washed away in the current.  Her priority to live was distracted by papers.  It sounds relevant.  Too many people are holding on to things that aren't important. 
     When asked why he had been so successful, Tom Landry responded to a crowd of more than 2000 students at Baylor University, "In 1958, I did something everyone who has been successful must do; I determined my priorities for my life--God, family, and then football."  He whipped out many destructive fantasies by cleaving to his priorities.  It's true, we can't help what goes through our minds, but we can keep harmful thoughts from taking root simply by establishing the priority to put God first in all we do.  "Seek ye first the kingdom of God and His righteousness and all these things shall be added unto you" (Matthew 6:33).  For more information go to www.JoyChristianMinistries.com

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