Day 10

January 18

Ellie Armstrong

Acts 10:42-43

He commanded us to preach to the people and to testify that he is the one whom God appointed as judge of the living and dead. All the prophets testify about him that everyone who believes in him receives forgiveness of sins through his name.

Priorities. As we enter this new year, we enter a time of reevaluation. We take a closer look at what is important to us and how we want to live our lives. Many people have made New Year’s resolutions to reevaluate what they want this new year to look like for them. Whether it’s going to the gym more frequently, spending more time with your family, or any other resolution you may have made, you have committed to reevaluating and resetting your priorities. As important as any resolution may be, we need to ensure that our physical desires are not placed above our spiritual ones. God’s command for how we live our lives should always be placed above any desire we may have. And as Acts 10:42-43 states, “He commanded us to preach to the people and to testify that he is the one whom God appointed as judge of the living and dead.”

God’s command is to preach to the people and to share our testimonies of how He has worked in our lives. This should be our number one priority. As a high school junior preparing for my senior year, I have been learning a lot about priorities, especially in regards to what classes I will take. There are so many fascinating classes I would love to take, but before I can take the ‘fun’ classes, I need to fulfill all of the classes the state requires for me to graduate. So, despite how fun I think a Psychology, Forensic Science, or Greek Tragedies class would be, I need another math class or a lab science class to graduate. It may not be fun or pleasant at the moment, but next spring, when I receive a diploma, it will have been worth it.

God’s commandments in our lives are the same way. It may be uncomfortable to share your faith with a friend or coworker, just like I may not enjoy having to take another math class. Still, just like I’m working towards a diploma, we are all working towards an eternal crown and reward in heaven. Wouldn’t we want to bring everyone we know with us to receive the same? Are you giving more priority to your earthly desires than to what God commands? My prayer is that during these 21 Days of Prayer, we can all reevaluate our lives and take a closer look at what we prioritize.

Prayer: Dear Lord, I pray that we, as a church, community, and nation, take the time to be still and listen to what you ask of us. Let us prioritize you above all else, and may your name be glorified in all we do.

Amen.