We live in a fast-paced world that that is filled with events, organizations, and relationships that compete for our attention. The demands of jobs, schools, sports, social organizations, and families often have our schedules so full that we can easily be overwhelmed with such involvement. All of the above things are good and offer opportunities to enrich relationships and contribute to the community, but there is a real danger associated with the aforementioned things. It is easy to lose perspective of what is truly important and to neglect the important while meeting the demands of the urgent. It is tragic that many times Christians give so much of themselves to these types of things that there is no time left for the work of the church and even their families are neglected.

What is really important to you? Is your relationship with God first in your life? Think for a moment about the time you invest in the work of the church, in prayer, in Bible study, or in personal evangelism. Now compare that with the time you invest in work related activities, social organizations, athletic programs, and school related programs. Now…what does your life reveal? What message are you conveying to your family, neighbors, and peers concerning the value you place on spiritual things? Often it is asked why we are not reaching more people. Why are we not saving the lost? Why do we plead with family members to obey the gospel to no avail? I believe much of the answer is that we have lost our conviction. We have too much of the world in us and not enough of Christ.

Why is it that Christians who would not miss a high school football game are never to be seen at gospel meetings in the community? Why is it that the very people who give themselves to PTA or booster clubs are nowhere to be found when the church has a day of work and service for the elderly of the congregation? Why is it that some church members can tell you exactly what is happening on any given soap opera but couldn’t tell you what is being studied in Sunday school…because they aren’t there? How is it that a faithful church can bring in good sound speakers to deal with relevant topics facing the church and do good to fill the building half full on any given night? Could it be because members of the church just don’t care?

There are many faithful, hard working Christians who are in the trenches doing to Lord’s work every day, in a number of ways. There are those who give sacrificially of their time, money, and talents to see that the work of the church is carried out. There are many who have not and will not give up or back down in their service to God. Each of us must honestly examine our hearts and determine if God is truly first in our lives.