What are our priorities?

As men, we have a lot asked of us.  As such, we get our priorities twisted and turned.  "Gotta get to work," "gotta take care of the car," "gotta get the kids to practice," "gotta get things paid for," etc etc...These types of things become our priorities and, at times, rightfully so.  But as we do these things to take care of the family, we often forget what is truly important.  Matthew records in chapter 16 that Jesus was explaining to his disciples what his priority was in that he was to go to Jerusalem and suffer at the hands of the elders, chief of priests and teachers of the law.  Peter attempts to rebuke Jesus and is met with this;

"23 Jesus turned and said to Peter, “Get behind me, Satan! You are a stumbling block to me; you do not have in mind the concerns of God, but merely human concerns.”

24 Then Jesus said to his disciples, “Whoever wants to be my disciple must deny themselves and take up their cross and follow me. 25 For whoever wants to save their life will lose it, but whoever loses their life for me will find it.

26 What good will it be for someone to gain the whole world, yet forfeit their soul? Or what can anyone give in exchange for their soul?" Matthew 16:23-26 NIV. 

Jesus tells us what it takes to gain our life.1. Deny ourselves and take up our cross.  That is, despite what we want, we need to make the pursuits of the Kingdom our chief priority.2. Losing our lives for Jesus will ultimately save them.  We are to live our lives for Jesus, not for ourselves.3. Gaining everything at the expense of our soul is ultimately a losing proposition.  There isn't enough to be gained in the world to make up for the salvation of Christ.Fellas, taking care of our families and jobs and responsibilities is a good pursuit.  However, it's important to remember that Jesus should always be at the top of our priorities. 

As Jesus tells us, also in Matthew, we are to "33 But seek first his kingdom and his righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well."  Matthew 6:33

In brotherly love.....