Good morning, world. Things are looking pretty good from the front porch of my farm in Virginia today. It’s misting rain again this morning and it seems like all creation is taking cover. The deer find their refuge in the trees – I find mine on the front porch. Even though I was shielded by a porch roof this morning, the mist kept blowing into my face even with the slightest breeze, and more than anything else, it was a distraction for me so inside I went. A little time with the Author and Perfector of my Faith, a little time searching my Instruction Manual for Wisdom and Truth, a little coffee, and a very Grateful Heart – that’s the way a new day begins for me. Without my Full Attention given to the first part of each new day, would my Heart overflow with Gratitude this morning? Not a chance! If I don’t keep my Priorities straight, the Journey of Life begins to look “too big” and the next thing I know, my Courage wavers and my Heart becomes heavy. Keeping my Priorities straight at the start of each new day Equips me to be all that God created me to be and I am forever reminded that I have a Purpose in this life far greater than myself. My Priorities are non-negotiable.

Just like anything else in life, it takes Commitment to keep my Priorities in check. A busy schedule can easily rock the boat and I might be tempted to rush into my work without a second thought of my Priorities if I’m not careful. But if I want that busy schedule to go smoothly, I NEED to be Equipped for the day. I could easily get distracted by the needs of others who sometimes rally for my attention, and I might even be tempted to set aside my own priorities to put their needs above my own. But if I want to have what it takes to give them the Best part of me, then I need to be Equipped for the ride. I could easily be distracted by the little things in life, and I could alter my schedule so that my Priorities are addressed after my chores, my errands, my work, or my home. But if I do that, my priorities are no longer a Priority and they take a back seat to so many other things of less importance. If I want to Accomplish all of the little things in His Name, then I’d better be equipped for the Journey. My priorities are non-negotiable.

I often hear people comment about how they don’t have the “luxury” of setting aside time for these Priorities in life. But I wonder…if they don’t have a little time to give to the Living God, the King of kings, the Alpha and Omega, the Beginning and the End, the Prince of Peace, the Bright Morning Star, the One who died for them then why in the world would they expect Him to make their needs a Priority either? The Living God isn’t looking for performance, He’s looking for Relationship and it takes time and attention to have one! When the King returns One Day, plenty of people will be listing out all the things they did in His Name…and plenty of people will hear “I NEVER KNEW YOU”. Relationship is what will make the Difference between Heaven and Hell for all of us. As for me, I NEED for Him to “Keep me as the apple of His eye” and to “Hide me in the shadow of His wings” and for as long as I live, He will be my Biggest Priority. That’s non-negotiable for me.

My Priorities are straight and I’m Equipped for this new day after my Time in the Presence of the Living God. There are many things for me to “manage” today, but everything will fall into place because of my Time in the Presence of the Living God first thing this morning. I’ll strive to give the very best of myself to my family, my friends, and to the stranger God puts in my path today, all because of my Time in the Presence of the Living God. My Time with my God is non-negotiable.

How about you?

I will sing to the Lord all my life;
I will sing praise to my God as long as I live.
May my meditation be pleasing to him,
as I rejoice in the Lord – Psalm 104: 33, 34