PRIORITIES

…first take the plank out of your own eye, and then you will see clearly to remove the speck from your brother’s eye. Matthew 7:5 (NIV)

When was the last time you heard, “In the event of an emergency, a mask will drop down from the compartment overhead. Fit the mask over your mouth and tighten the bands. Oxygen will begin flowing. Put on your own mask before you assist others.” This little spiel is familiar to anyone who’s ever flown in an airplane, and it’s meant to ensure passenger safety.

In our own spiritual lives, do we make sure that we are attending to our own spiritual needs, practicing spiritual disciplines, living out our faith before we attempt to reach out to others? It may be easier to see the needs in other lives or to want to “fix” someone else while ignoring the practice of Christ’s life within ourselves.

Let’s stop and reassess. With the direction and power of the Holy Spirit, let’s attend first to the issues in our own lives. Then we’ll be able to see more clearly how to minister to someone else.

Father, sometimes it seems easier to take care of others than to help ourselves. Remind us to make your priorities ours so that we may be effective servants. In Jesus’ name. AMEN.