What are our priorities?

More and more that seems to be a very personal question that depends on who you are but I wonder if it should be that way. As followers of Christ one wonders what has happened to our priorities…we have, for a long time, allowed ourselves to become bound by our own human and worldly pursuits and desires and wrapped them in the sanctity of scripture.

Our priorities have been our own, reinforced by scripture. Our priorities have been reactive and often judgmental…defensive – this is not a good thing.

Matthew 5:3-10 –

“Blessed are the poor in spirit,
for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.
 Blessed are those who mourn,
for they will be comforted.
 Blessed are the meek,
for they will inherit the earth.
 Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness,
for they will be filled.
 Blessed are the merciful,
for they will be shown mercy.
 Blessed are the pure in heart,
for they will see God.
 Blessed are the peacemakers,
for they will be called children of God.
 Blessed are those who are persecuted because of righteousness,
for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.

John 13:34-35 –

“A new command I give you: Love one another. As I have loved you, so you must love one another. By this everyone will know that you are my disciples, if you love one another.”

Ephesians 2:13-18 –

But now in Christ Jesus you who once were far away have been brought near by the blood of Christ.

“For he himself is our peace, who has made the two groups one and has destroyed the barrier, the dividing wall of hostility, by setting aside in his flesh the law with its commands and regulations. His purpose was to create in himself one new humanity out of the two, thus making peace, and in one body to reconcile both of them to God through the cross, by which he put to death their hostility. He came and preached peace to you who were far away and peace to those who were near. For through him we both have access to the Father by one Spirit.”

So what are our priorities? Prayer, compassion, forgiveness, mercy, grace, healing, clothing, feeding, visiting, unity, and above all other things – love.

Any other focus is a terrible and bleak waste of time.