There Is No Second

But seek first His kingdom and His righteousness and all these things will be added to you.

(Matthew 6:33, NASB)

On a misty afternoon in the summer of 1851, Queen Victoria was eager to learn which of the fifteen schooners racing the 53-mile course around the Isle of Wright was in the lead. She especially hoped to learn how many of the British schooners were ahead of the schooner America. She asked a signal master, “Are the yachts in sight?” He replied, “Only the America, may it please Your Majesty.” She then asked, “Which is second?” And his now famous response was, “Ah, Your Majesty, there is no second.” Thus began The America’s Cup yacht race and it's legacy of the singular pursuit of excellence. Similarly, I used to approach life with God first, family second and ministry third. However, I’m learning that God is first and there is no second. As I make God my priority, I am then enabled to love my family and minister His grace to others. It is an all-in-one package! We are now in the season of Lent, a time of preparation for Easter by focusing on our relationship with God through Jesus Christ. It is often observed through fasting, self-denial and other spiritual disciplines. Yet, it can become easy to get caught up in these disciplines and forget their purpose of growing closer to God. How much better it is to make God our priority and trust Him to order our lives!

Keep on abiding,

Steve