Repositioning Priorities
By Deb Crowley of Urbandale, IA, USA
Do not store up for yourselves treasures on earth, where moth and rust consume and where thieves break in and steal; but store up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where neither moth nor rust consumes and where thieves do not break in and steal. For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also. —Matthew 6:19–21 NRSV
It was hard to believe an early morning call telling us a tractor accident killed my sister’s husband. With two boys under five and another on the way, it was hard to grasp the finality of this loss. Perhaps it was because I, too, was a mother with three young children. Perhaps it was because it was my first experience with death of someone so close. The news rocked my world.
The funeral week was a blur. As I returned home, I sensed all of life’s priorities had repositioned themselves. What once seemed important, like getting ahead in our careers or buying the next car, dropped to the bottom of the priority list. Treasuring family and investing time and energy in their lives, in the lives of our friends, our church family, our neighbors, strangers—all rose to the top of the list, just beneath our spiritual connection to God.
Jesus told us not to store treasures on Earth, but to store treasures in heaven. That is where our heart will be. That is where we will be vulnerable—but God will be there with us.
Prayer for Peace
God of Wisdom, help us examine our life daily to understand what matters most. Help us take a discerning look at the world to see where we need to work for peace.
Spiritual Practice: Making Responsible Choices
Prayerfully seek God’s guidance in your choices. The practice of discernment invites us to orient our lives toward God and God’s vision for us and creation. Begin by reviewing the responsibilities and opportunities in the day before you. Take these choices into prayer, asking God for wisdom and insight about what matters most.
Peace Covenant
Today, God, I will take inventory of my priority list and make any necessary adjustments.
