Give God First Place In Your Schedule

A few years ago, a friend shared his struggles and expressed his desire to strengthen his faith. When I asked about his church attendance, I was surprised to learn that he wasn't going regularly. After discussing it with him further, he provided several excuses for his absence. He mentioned "schedule conflicts," which included sporting events, gym sessions, football games, and golf outings. While it's important to have fun and take care of our bodies, these activities should not take priority over our commitment to God. We need to maintain balance. An occasional activity, family gathering, or vacation is acceptable, but being chronically absent from church indicates that God doesn’t have a place in your schedule.

See, you will find that your enemy, the devil, will fight your prayer life and church attendance harder than anything else in your life. He knows that if those vital spiritual areas become iffy, the rest of your commitments to God, yourself, and others will follow. The key is to be fully committed to the Lord, whether it is popular or not. This commitment is the conviction that Joshua encouraged the Israelites to have in Joshua 24:14-16, which states, “So fear the Lord and serve him wholeheartedly. Put away forever the idols your ancestors worshiped when they lived beyond the Euphrates River and in Egypt. Serve the Lord alone. 15 But if you refuse to serve the Lord, then choose today whom you will serve. Would you prefer the gods your ancestors served beyond the Euphrates? Or will it be the gods of the Amorites in whose land you now live? But as for me and my family, we will serve the Lord.”

The Israelites were guilty of disloyalty and idolatry. Although this account took place many generations ago, the problem is still in play today. While the objects of worship are different, the issue is the same. False idols are consuming our attention and separating us from God. For example, your idol might be non-essential extracurricular activities, pursuing pleasure, and lust for money and power. Altogether, these areas put some serious distance between you and the Lord.

The bottom line has to be that God takes top priority in your schedule. Remember, you are as close to God as you choose to be. James 4:8 says, “Come close to God, and God will come close to you…"