By REV. KEN LETSON / Guest Columnist

It seems almost every day I come across people who tell me how their lives are out-of-wack, how they are frustrated with their lack of direction, how they feel spiritually dry, emotionally scattered, out of control in areas ranging from their money to their schedule to their relationships.

Most also tell me when they get their life back in order, they plan to start attending church more regularly.

My response: “Do the math.”

It is not hard to figure out why our lives get so frazzled and frustrated, why we always feel like we’re running up hill, when we’re trying to live it on our own. We have mixed-up value systems and upside-down priorities. Jesus wasn’t kidding when He said, “Seek first the kingdom of God and His righteousness, and all these things will be added to you as well.” (Matt. 6:33).

If you read that statement in context, Jesus was talking about money and possessions and our tendency to obsess about those “things” at the expense of more important matters of the heart. His “formula” was so simple it was profound: Put God first, and everything else will fall in place. Am I saying if you’ll just go to church enough, everything in your life will work out perfectly? No. Setting priorities, and making sure God is first, is vital to a well-ordered, meaningful life, but there are still times when things don’t go our way.  Once again, that’s the comfort of having a safe place to go where you can find caring friends who will be there for you. We all need the support and encouragement found in genuine Christian community, and we also need to be a part of the worship and study of God’s word that church offers.

Let me encourage you to make your relationship with the Lord the priority of your life and family. That will mean being a part of the community life of His body, the church, and investing your life into His kingdom work. And then watch and see if “all these things” aren’t added to you as well.  Do the math.

 

The Rev. Ken Letson is senior pastor of The Church at Shelby Crossings. You can reach him at kenletson@shelbycrossings.com.