Seek First What Matters Most

“For I want you to understand what really matters, so that you may live pure and blameless lives until the day of Christ’s return.“ – Philippians 1:10. 

During the Coronavirus, I realized how much I enjoy and miss one to one, face-to-face meetings. Face-to-face communication allows for open and heartfelt conversation: but intentional conversation not only requires speaking openly, but it also requires me to set aside all distractions and give the person my undivided attention. Undistracted, face-to-face time is an opportunity to truly listen to one another, and to truly be heard. Face-to-face time with God is an opportunity for us to know His heart. What if we took the time to listen, as well as a time for God to hear from us regarding those things that really matter to Him. How often do we consider what it is that really matters to God?

Paul, writing to the believers in Philippi says,“For I want you to understand what really matters, so that you may live pure and blameless lives until the day of Christ’s return.” (Philippians 1:10) This verse indicates there is a benefit to us to understand what really matters. Knowing and loving God is our greatest privilege. And being known and being loved by God is our greatest pleasure. And then to seek what matters to God first in our lives.  

I do not believe God intends for us to live our lives being self-absorbed. I believe He created us with intentionality; for us to live an intentional life for His purpose. To know His purpose is to know Him; to know Him is to know what is important to Him; to know His heart. And to put those things first in our lives. 

A.W. Tozer said this about what matters most: “Yes, worship of the loving God is man’s whole reason for existence.  That is why we are born, and that is why we are born again from above.  That is why we were created, and that is why we have been recreated.  That is why there is a genesis at the beginning, and that is why there is a re-genesis, called regeneration.  That is also why there is a church.  The Christian church exists to worship God first of all.  Everything else must come second or third or fourth or fifth.”   

What would happen if I began to lean into God, to be intentional enough to discover the things of God that truly matter to Him? Maybe it begins with setting aside distractions for just 10 minutes each day, to become comfortable in solitude. It takes discipline on our part to position ourselves to know God’s heart. Be willing to create some space – some margin – in the midst of your busyness in which God can reveal the unexpected work of His Spirit.

Face-to-face time with God equips us and positions us to know His heart and the things that matter to Him; heart to heart. When we are aware of the things that matter to Him, we are able to partner shoulder to shoulder with Him more effectively.

Discussion Questions:

1. How do you need to re-prioritize your life so that getting to know God better is your number one priority?
2. Based on what you talk about most, what would people say is most important to you?