First Things First

Roughly 2500 years ago, Socrates said, “The unexamined life is not worth living.” I think what he meant was that life without self-reflection, introspection, and critical thinking is meaningless and lacks value. Apparently, Socrates believed that people should question their actions, beliefs, and purpose in life, and that only by doing so can their lives have meaning.

I’m writing this on New Year’s Day; the one day that many people choose to exercise some degree of self-reflection as they start a new year. What about you?

Besides teaching several men, I’ve also taught most of my five kids and 14 grandkids how to shoot and hunt. One of my kids even won the International Youth Hunter Education Challenge in New Mexico several years ago. Most of my kids and grandkids have killed big game. In fact, 10-year old granddaughter, Acacia killed a mountain lion a few days ago. Not long ago her twin sister killed an enormous mountain lion and her older sister killed a moose at 270 yards.

Shooting, whether it’s at a target or wild game — in its most basic form — can be described as: Ready, Aim, Fire. Of course, volumes have been written regarding the intricacies of each of those words —Ready, Aim, Fire.

As a young man, all too often I lived my life more by the Ready, Fire, Aim method rather than the Ready, Aim, Fire method. It resulted in two divorces and much heartache. I was wondering, which of those two methods best describes your life?

I remember years ago, talking to a salesman working for a struggling company that’s no longer in business. As we discussed what appeared to be another questionable move by his company, the man said, “We all make mistakes. I’m not surprised that my company sometimes shoots itself in the foot, but what’s really amazing is how quickly we reload and do it again.”

It’s the start of a new year, so before we each reload to possibly “shoot ourselves in the foot again”, let’s try to think this through and start by putting first things first.

C.S. Lewis, who wrote such classics as The Chronicles of Narnia, and Mere Christianity, wrote in one of his books: “You can’t get second things by putting them first. You get second things only by putting first things first.”

Jesus had a lot to say about putting first things first as recorded in the Gospel of Matthew. Jesus had the big (as in eternal) perspective when he said, “Do not store up for yourselves treasures on earth, where moth and rust destroy, and where thieves break in and steal. But store up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where moth and rust do not destroy, and where thieves do not break in and steal. For where your treasure is there your heart will be also” (Matthew 6:19-22). And then he said in verse 24, “…You cannot serve both God and money. “

Jesus goes on to talk about worry and negative thought. He said, “I tell you, do not worry about your life, what you will eat or drink; or about your body, what you will wear. Is not life more important than food, and the body more important than cloths?…Who of you who worry can add a single hour to his life.”

Jesus then gives all of us this wisdom: “But seek first the kingdom of God and his righteousness, and all these things will be added to you” (Matthew 6:33).

Years ago, I took the first step by trusting in Jesus Christ to be my Lord and Savior. I’ve chosen this year, to put first things first by spending more time in God’s word. Now some of you may read this and say, but God doesn’t seem to talk to me. To that I say, if you’re waiting to hear an audible voice of God, I should tell you that he rarely speaks to people that way. But I’m reminded of two quotes from one of my heroes — a modern day martyr — Jim Elliott, who died in 1956 trying to bring the message of the Gospel to a jungle tribe in Ecuador: “He is no fool who gives what he cannot keep to gain what he cannot lose.” Jim Elliot also said, “Why do you need a voice when you have a verse?”

Like a lot of people, for years I was a professing Christian, and yet a functional atheist. Not anymore — now I have a relationship with God and I want to grow that relationship. And by the way, please don’t confuse what I’m saying with religiosity. For me, relationship and religion are two separate and distinctly different things.

(NEWS FLASH) This is amazing! An hour ago, when I took a break from writing to eat dinner, I also stumbled upon a story on FOX NEWS DIGITAL that is so relevant to what I’m writing about. The headline is: Bible sales booming despite a decline in religiosity. A first-time buyer says it’s about finding purpose.

Here are a few quotes from the article: “Bible sales rose 22% through October compared to the same period last year, according to data released this month by Circana Bookscan. (whereas) Total U.S. print book sales were only up 1%, according to The Wall Street Journal, which first reported the trend.”

It also says, print Bible sales hit a five year low of just under 8.9 million in 2020, according to Circana’s data, before beginning to tick upward again. Sales surpassed 13.7 million in the first 10 months of this year, Circana reported.”

The article also says, “The share of Americans identifying with a (specific) Christian religion hit a low of 68% last year, according to Gallop polling.” and it says, “About 28% of American adults are now religiously unaffiliated, according to PEW Research.

“Some people, (seem) sure they’re not going back to church, but they are reaching out to the Bible,” Minnesota-based Bishop Robert Baron told Fox News Digital.

“Let’s face it, the Bible has been — certainly for Western civilization, but even all over the world — the main source of meaning, purpose, value,” Barron said. “I think people are turning back to the Bible in greater numbers because they’re looking for that, and they realize instinctively they’re going to find it.”

Well! It seems, quite a few Americans are trying a First Things First Approach!

Ok, it’s a new year, so maybe you’re READY. Maybe you want to make this year better than last. Maybe you’re tired of repeatedly “shooting yourself in the foot.” Maybe you’re looking for purpose.

Maybe it’s time to AIM. And where can you get better direction for that than in God’s Word, The Bible?

Maybe it’s time to FIRE by buying or opening your Bible and to listen to what God is telling you through the verses in it.

By the way, if you want to know about some Bible Studies or Bible Reading Plans or Bible Apps to use to compliment your own quiet time with God, feel free to let me know.

Happy New Years,

John

FATC Inspiration and Leadership Studies Lead