Let us draw near

We will prioritize that which matters most to us.

As I have walked with the Lord, this truth has always proven true: What matters to me will be evident in the way I prioritize my life.

It is a hard reality to face sometimes, because my priorities have a tendency to shift all over the place on any given day.

Let’s face it: we live in a demanding world. For most of us to survive, we are working like mules, making sacrifices, and beating the clock day-in and day-out.

We rush from here to there, inviting anxiety for ourselves (and most likely our family/friends).

We take in thousands of pieces of information daily - much of that information completely irrelevant and useless for our own lives, yet clogging our brains.

We read and respond to hundreds of texts/emails/phone calls from various people.

This simply isn’t the way we are to live.

Yet, societal norms and pressures have left us wondering how to survive otherwise.

Friend, there is a Way.

It’s not easy or comfortable, and it will require us to sacrifice some things.

It won’t be an overnight “fix” - it will be a daily fight.

Drawing near to God requires us to slow the pace and intentionally say “no” to some things so we can say “yes” to the One Thing that truly matters most.

So where do we begin?

Our family has been asking this question for years.

As we’ve grown by number, the blessings, the joys, the demands and the pressures have, too.

We oftentimes feel perpetually exhausted, and not just “tired” - it’s that kind of exhaustion that makes you want to totally “veg” out to a TV show too late into the night or doom-scroll on social media for a while until we are even more exhausted, our minds now even further cluttered, and the early morning mere hours away until the cycle starts again.

So we’ve started getting real with ourselves and asking the hard questions the last few years:

• Do we truly prioritize what we say matters most?

• Do we steward well our time, energy, and the well-being of the family-at-large?

• Do we do everything we can to intentionally observe Sabbath?

• Do we take necessary measures to protect ourselves from over-exhaustion and burnout?

• Do we honestly love the Lord with all our hearts, souls, minds, and strength?
  
  

Some additional questions I’ve personally had to wrestle with:

1. When I wake up every day, what is my first thought?

Usually, I am thinking of the 12,000 things I need to get done before we leave for school/work.

A summary of my morning mom brain is this:

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Yes, that.

Instead, starting the day with intentional time to pray to God in thanks (because I went to bed an hour earlier and planned ahead) sets my mind on things above rather than jumping right to the “to-dos” due to oversleeping or poor planning.

2. How can I help our children see that Christ is my first priority?

This has looked different for our family from season to season, but it is integral that my children see me in God’s word.

If His word is “a lamp unto my feet and a light unto my path,” like I tell them it is…then I should be visibly studying His word so that they understand it is the source from which I draw my strength. Jesus Himself prayed for us, “sanctify them by Your truth; Your Word is truth.”

Not only should I be in His word, but I should encourage them to seek their own individual time with God.

Usually, we end the day with family prayer and my husband will give a brief devotion to the kids from whatever the Lord lays on his heart.

This summer, our family has taken the opportunity to meet with our kids in the morning for a brief sermon from some of the pastors who’ve helped shape our faith.

Of course, this isn’t possible for all families due to varying schedules, but making time for the entire family to meet and discuss God’s word within the home is needed.

Whatever time you are intentionally spending with your family in God’s word will help set a firm foundation for your entire family to grow spiritually.

Remember, it isn’t the local church’s responsibility to be the primary disciplers of your children - it’s yours.

(If studying God’s word leaves you feeling a little overwhelmed or “stuck”, please reach out for help and additional resources. YOU are capable of understanding and applying Scripture! )

3. What can I say “NO” to in this season?

Of course, this really needs no explanation.

If we take the time to be honest with ourselves, we know those things that we could cut from our schedules.

If some activity is adding strain, division, or strife to a family unit…it may be time to step away for now.

Drawing near to God is a practice that is simple to understand, yet difficult to execute without the daily surrendering of self.

It’s time we ask ourselves the hard questions.

Eternity awaits.