“To me the only important thing about living is Christ, and dying would be profit for me.”  Philippians‬ ‭1:21‬ ‭NCV‬‬

Priority. It’s a word that we throw around a lot. We talk about “priority customers” and “priority relationships”. “Putting your priorities in order” “Getting my priorities straight.” “ What are your priories?” Is that something you’ve ever considered? Have you ever taken intentional time to evaluate your priorities? Maybe you sat down and listed all the things that are important to you and then numbered them. There, now you have a list of priorities and number one is the most important, right? Well...maybe not. It’s important to understand what we are really talking about when we say “priority.” What is your perspective on priority?

Did you know that the word actually means "one thing"? There was not a plural form of the original word. It meant one important thing. So that list that you and I were challenged to write of our priorities? Not a thing. I have been thinking about the Apostle Paul recently. To Paul only one thing is important, only one thing matters. Paul was able to persevere through hardship because he focused on what mattered and in his letter to his friends n Philippi he invited them to follow his example. Paul’s perspective enabled him to persevere with joy, peace and contentment. God is inviting you and I to learn to do the same. 

What was Paul’s “one thing”? You guessed it! Christ. Only Christ. Always Christ. To Paul, “the only important thing about living is Christ.”(Philippians 1:21 NCV) Wow! Christ was Paul’s priority. Christ Himself and all that He is. What did that perspective do for Paul? What were the results of making Christ his priority and how can we get the same benefits? Paul demonstrates that living a life of fulfillment, purpose and peace is possible as we live for what matters and let go of what doesn’t. 

Contentment and fulfillment in every situation becomes possible as I make Christ my priority. Think about it. Paul is imprisoned — often — because of his commitment to preach the Gospel of Christ. In prison, he sings songs of praise (Acts 16:25), shares the Gospel (Acts 16:31, Philippians 1:13)  and writes letters to his friends to encourage and instruct them (Colossians, Ephesians Philippians and Philemon are often called the “Prison Epistles” because Paul wrote them from prison!). Really? He writes to encourage them? Through all that he endured Paul remains full of joy. He doesn’t get depressed or filled with self-pity. He remains focused on his priority. He is not afraid of the consequences. 

One of the most famous Bible verses is from Paul’s letter to his friends in Philippi. He is closing his letter by thanking them again for their gift to provide for his needs while in prison, but he says he didn’t really need it because he has learned “to be content in every circumstance” (4:11) Then he tells them what we often quote, “I can do all this through him who gives me strength.” ‭‭(Philippians‬ ‭4:13‬ ‭NIV)‬‬ Other translations say “all things”, but I like this one best, “Christ gives me the strength to face anything.” ‭‭(‭CEV)  To Paul it wasn’t about doing all things through Christ, it was about enduring all things through Christ. With Christ as his priority and companion, Paul never lacked strength, contentment or fulfillment. He was able to endure anything. That’s possible for you, my friend, regardless of what you are going through. I can say that because I have found it to be true over and over again in my own life.   ‬‬

Making Christ the most important thing infuses life with purpose. Sharing Christ, His message and His work can become our focus and motivate us every day. I don't know about you, but when I am in the middle of a crisis my priority becomes survival, just getting through every day. From what I read in Paul’s letters, he was way beyond mere survival. He saw every situation as an opportunity to make Christ known. The ruckus in Ephesus?(Acts 19) An opportunity to speak to a crowd about Jesus. Imprisoned in Philippi? (Acts 16) An opportunity to sing praises with his friend, Silas. When God answered those praises with an earthquake that opened up the prison doors, Paul did not see that as an opportunity to escape. He saw it as an opportunity to share Christ with the jailer. Paul’s perspective on priority filled every problem with purpose. His priority:  Christ. His purpose: Christ. His problems: Opportunities to make Christ known to people. What would happen in my life or yours if we considered every problem an opportunity to make Christ known?

I am definitely no expert when it comes to turning problems into opportunities to make Christ known, but I am learning to pray “God what do You want to do through this? How can I bring You glory in this? How can I keep my focus on You in the middle of this difficulty?” My friend, it isn’t easy. I know. What you are going through may be excruciatingly painful and confusing. Everything in you may be crying out for relief and an end to this nightmare. However, a perspective shift just might open your eyes to opportunity. Is your priority comfort? I have been there. What if you and I could make Christ our priority in the midst of our problems? How might that perspective fill our problem with purpose and open our eyes to the opportunities to make Christ known right in the middle of our pain? Something to think about. Definitely something to think about. 

When my priority is Christ I live in peace because my everyday problems take their proper place. As I have learned about the life of Paul and as I have studied his letter to the Philippians, I am struck by how little he seems to be bothered by his everyday problems. Think about our common complaints — money, paying the bills and putting food on the table, relational conflicts, maintaining our comforts — heat and hot water, entertainment options like TV or even internet. Paul didn’t have the means to provide for his own needs. He was hated and accused by many. He had few, if any, comforts. Yet, he declared himself to be content in any and every circumstance (Phil 4: 11) Why? Because he had one priority: Christ, not comfort. 

Comfort calls my name often. I want comfort in relationships and comfort in my environment. Comfort means no conflict, right? Comfort means I don’t have to solve relational squabbles or answer difficult questions. Perfect environment. Perfect temperature. Not too hot or cold, just right. Not too loud or soft, just right. Comfort means every task comes easily. Comfort means no obstacles, no surprises, no confusion. Wouldn’t it be wonderful if life were like that? I know that my inner self craves comfort. But, I don’t want the call of comfort to cloud my perspective. Christ over comfort. That was true for Paul. I want it to be true for me, too, and, boy, do I have a long way to go!

My Friend, what is your priority? Notice this is singular, not plural. That list of priorities that is in your head or on paper? It really all boils down to just one underlying priority that informs all the other “priorities”. So, what’s your perspective on priority? Is it time for a shift? Dear Friend, it is our challenge to make Christ our priority, the only thing that really matters. When we do that, then you and I will experience some of what Paul did: contentment, fulfillment, purpose and peace. How about it? Couldn’t you use some of that right now?

Key thought: When Christ is my priority I can face anything. 

A Scripture to consider: “To me the only important thing about living is Christ, and dying would be profit for me.”  Philippians‬ ‭1:21‬ ‭NCV‬‬

A YES challenge: Take some time in God’s presence to ask, “What is my actual priority at this point in my life?” As the Holy Spirit reveals truth to you, take time to talk about it with God. Repent if needed. Ask God to help you make Christ your priority. 

Prayer: Father, if i am painfully honest, I often let other things crowd out Christ as my priority. That isn’t what I want. I want Christ to be the most important thing about living. I want my perspective on priority to be Christ, only Christ, always Christ. I want to be able to say, “Christ gives me the strength to face anything.” Lord, I need a perspective shift. I can’t do it on my own. I need you. Amen.