by Martha June

What if I could tell you the secret to a joy-filled life? What if I could give you the answer to every question you have ever had? What if by doing one thing, your entire life could change?

Well, guess what?

I can’t.

BUT

I know someone who can.

JESUS.

All the Seniors at our church are given the opportunity to share with our youth group one thing they have learned over the years. Since I was in sixth grade I have watched seniors get up and give a testimonial about their “school years”.  Some chose to talk about community, some about how important it is to “invest in the next”, and still others about being invested in the church.

I have thought about for years what I would tell “the next” when I get my turn. Today I am sharing it early because it has been in my heart.

As I thought about everything my parents have taught me, what I have learned from various Bible studies, and from youth group discussions…I always come back to one lesson that has stuck out above the rest. Put Jesus first.  It took me a longntime to learn this lesson for myself. In fact, I still struggle with it from the day today. (BUT Y’ALL) this whole putting Jesus first deal is life changing.

“But seek first the kingdom of God and his righteousness, and then all these things will be added to you.” Matthew 6:33

If you are anything like me,  you have tried to seek the “all these things” first. Consoling yourself with the idea that giving him the rest of your energy is enough. Or making sure to mark your time with him off of your to-do list…will somehow draw yourself closer to him. For some of you that might be the only time that works, and for others organization is key (do what ya need to do).  But never has the end of the day devotion satisfied me, or the marking him off the to-do list strengthened my faith in him. Those were all simply motions, spiritual motions that never held any water.

I was in an H.A.B.I.T.S. class at my church one time that was all about developing healthy habits of putting Jesus first. One thing that has always stuck with me from that class was a visual the leader gave one morning. She had a jar, some rice, and three ping pong balls. The ping pong balls represented your time with God, while the rice represented your time, and the jar your day. She proceeded to fill the jar up with rice and then tried to put the ping pong balls at last. The result; you couldn’t close the jar!

She then put the ping pong balls in an empty jar first,  filling the jar with the rice second. And you know what? The jar closed. After that day I tried it. Putting Jesus first at the beginning of my day. Quickly I began to experience subtle shifts in my day that made all the difference. When I put Jesus first I got more done during my day, I experienced less stress and anger at my circumstances, and I felt closer to Jesus in a personal way.

That verse proved true to me and continues to prove true in everyday life. I am encouraging you to put Jesus first yall. He is in the business of changing lives. Trust me you will never regret it.

Sincerely,

I promise I am not always this serious!