The Message of LeadershipEsimerkki

WHO'S ON FIRST?

"My religion consists of a humble admiration of the illimitable superior spirit who reveals himself in the slight details we are able to perceive with our frail and feeble mind."
-Albert Einstein

Who has first place in your life? Your job? Your favorite pastime? Money? Leisure? What is at the top?

As a young man, I often put my foot in my mouth. I will never forget walking out across a vast stadium filled with people, leading Billy Graham to his pulpit at the start of one of his campaigns in a foreign country. The police officer assigned to escort Mr. Graham was accompanying us, and in a burst of enthusiasm I said to the officer, “If you’re not careful, we might make you into a Protestant.” Billy turned to the man with a gentle smile and said, “No, we won’t do that. But I hope we will help you to find God.”

Have you found God? He has been searching for you all your life. You must remember, though, that God is a gentleman and won’t barge in. You have to invite Him in. And there is a second step in all relationships—that is to get to an intimacy and friendship beyond the superficial level. Do you have an intimacy with God? One that allows you to trust Him to look out for your best interests so you don’t have to?

Granted, we all struggle with establishing priorities and sticking to them. But have you ever articulated the priority that you want God to be in your life? The wisdom of Proverbs indicates that if God is at the top, every other aspect of life will fall into place. I have put this promise to the test in my own life and can vouch for its reliability. God always keeps His word. We will fail, but He never fails.

Essential Insight 3: Decide to put God ahead of everything else in your life.