What Would You Grab from a Burning House? | Rev Katie Montgomery Mears Preaching | 08.09.2026

Welcome to St. Luke's United Methodist Welcome to St. Luke's United Methodist Church in Houston. I'm Katie Montgomery Church in Houston. I'm Katie Montgomery Church in Houston. I'm Katie Montgomery Meers, the executive pastor, and I'm so Meers, the executive pastor, and I'm so Meers, the executive pastor, and I'm so glad that you're joining us today. glad that you're joining us today. glad that you're joining us today. Whether you're in the car, at the gym, Whether you're in the car, at the gym, Whether you're in the car, at the gym, or settling in for a quiet moment, let or settling in for a quiet moment, let or settling in for a quiet moment, let this be your time to draw closer to God. this be your time to draw closer to God. this be your time to draw closer to God. As we conclude our series today on As we conclude our series today on As we conclude our series today on pushing pause, we're going to talk about pushing pause, we're going to talk about pushing pause, we're going to talk about slowing down long enough to reorder our slowing down long enough to reorder our slowing down long enough to reorder our priorities. priorities. priorities. Let us pray. God, I know that you have something for God, I know that you have something for each of us this morning. each of us this morning. each of us this morning. And so I pray that your spirit would And so I pray that your spirit would And so I pray that your spirit would soften our hearts to receive it. soften our hearts to receive it. soften our hearts to receive it. And that it would give us courage to And that it would give us courage to And that it would give us courage to live it. live it. live it. Amen. If your house was on fire, If your house was on fire, what would you take out of it? what would you take out of it? what would you take out of it? That question kind of has a way of That question kind of has a way of That question kind of has a way of distilling and clarifying what it is distilling and clarifying what it is distilling and clarifying what it is that we think is important. that we think is important. that we think is important. I would wager that none of you would say I would wager that none of you would say I would wager that none of you would say the fancy kitchen countertop appliance the fancy kitchen countertop appliance the fancy kitchen countertop appliance that you hemmed and hawed about buying, that you hemmed and hawed about buying, that you hemmed and hawed about buying, or the clothes in your closet, or the clothes in your closet, or the clothes in your closet, or even the artwork on your walls.

or even the artwork on your walls. or even the artwork on your walls. Most people say, certainly, uh kids and Most people say, certainly, uh kids and Most people say, certainly, uh kids and pets if they're not out already, photo pets if they're not out already, photo pets if they're not out already, photo albums, albums, albums, things that are irreplaceable. things that are irreplaceable. things that are irreplaceable. There's something about an emergency There's something about an emergency There's something about an emergency that helps us to really see what it is that helps us to really see what it is that helps us to really see what it is that we know deep down in our bones that we know deep down in our bones that we know deep down in our bones anyway is the most important. anyway is the most important. anyway is the most important. >> [clears throat] >> [clears throat] >> [clears throat] >> It brings it up for us. But >> It brings it up for us. But >> It brings it up for us. But fortunately for us, most of us don't fortunately for us, most of us don't fortunately for us, most of us don't live in that emergency state. We live in live in that emergency state. We live in live in that emergency state. We live in a series of ordinary, unremarkable a series of ordinary, unremarkable a series of ordinary, unremarkable Tuesdays. Tuesdays. Tuesdays. Fortunately for us, we aren't making Fortunately for us, we aren't making Fortunately for us, we aren't making those decisions, um in a burning house. those decisions, um in a burning house. those decisions, um in a burning house. But we are making decisions about things But we are making decisions about things But we are making decisions about things that are important to us with the hours that are important to us with the hours that are important to us with the hours that we hand over that we hand over that we hand over every single one of those ordinary every single one of those ordinary every single one of those ordinary Tuesdays. Tuesdays. Tuesdays. The ways that we choose to spend our The ways that we choose to spend our The ways that we choose to spend our time, what we choose to focus on.

time, what we choose to focus on. time, what we choose to focus on. Last week Tom talked about how the Last week Tom talked about how the Last week Tom talked about how the practice of Sabbath demonstrates that we practice of Sabbath demonstrates that we practice of Sabbath demonstrates that we have freedom to stop and freedom to have freedom to stop and freedom to have freedom to stop and freedom to choose. choose. choose. And so this week I want us to talk about And so this week I want us to talk about And so this week I want us to talk about that. This idea that when we stop and that. This idea that when we stop and that. This idea that when we stop and pause, we can reorder our lives. pause, we can reorder our lives. pause, we can reorder our lives. That we might use that freedom to choose That we might use that freedom to choose That we might use that freedom to choose what our priorities are. what our priorities are. what our priorities are. That word priorities right there is That word priorities right there is That word priorities right there is actually kind of a tricky one. For about actually kind of a tricky one. For about actually kind of a tricky one. For about 500 years in the English language, we 500 years in the English language, we 500 years in the English language, we have used the word priority have used the word priority have used the word priority one. one. one. First in rank, first in order. First in rank, first in order. First in rank, first in order. It wasn't until the 1940s that we It wasn't until the 1940s that we It wasn't until the 1940s that we pluralized the word priorities. pluralized the word priorities. pluralized the word priorities. Which is completely butchering it Which is completely butchering it Which is completely butchering it because it is a word that means one, because it is a word that means one, because it is a word that means one, only, first. And all of the sudden we only, first. And all of the sudden we only, first. And all of the sudden we have many first, many ones, many onlys. have many first, many ones, many onlys. have many first, many ones, many onlys. It is no wonder that we feel worn out It is no wonder that we feel worn out It is no wonder that we feel worn out and worn thin because we are trying to and worn thin because we are trying to and worn thin because we are trying to keep up with a whole bunch of things keep up with a whole bunch of things keep up with a whole bunch of things when we really can only keep up with one when we really can only keep up with one when we really can only keep up with one thing. And then let everything else flow thing. And then let everything else flow thing. And then let everything else flow from that.

from that. from that. So when we talk about priorities So when we talk about priorities So when we talk about priorities or our priority, what we're really or our priority, what we're really or our priority, what we're really asking is what is it that I value the asking is what is it that I value the asking is what is it that I value the most? When two things are in conflict, most? When two things are in conflict, most? When two things are in conflict, two good things in conflict, which one two good things in conflict, which one two good things in conflict, which one takes precedence? takes precedence? takes precedence? What is the thing around which I want to What is the thing around which I want to What is the thing around which I want to center my life so that everything else center my life so that everything else center my life so that everything else takes its proper and proportional place? takes its proper and proportional place? takes its proper and proportional place? Jesus gives us a way to find out what we Jesus gives us a way to find out what we Jesus gives us a way to find out what we really prioritize in the scripture that really prioritize in the scripture that really prioritize in the scripture that you heard read first this morning. He you heard read first this morning. He you heard read first this morning. He says, says, says, "Where your treasure is, that is where "Where your treasure is, that is where "Where your treasure is, that is where your heart will be." That is what you your heart will be." That is what you your heart will be." That is what you will end up prioritizing. That is what will end up prioritizing. That is what will end up prioritizing. That is what you will bend your life toward. And you will bend your life toward. And you will bend your life toward. And treasure is not just financial. It's not treasure is not just financial. It's not treasure is not just financial. It's not just about money. just about money. just about money. It's about time It's about time It's about time and attention and all of the resources, and attention and all of the resources, and attention and all of the resources, the currencies that we spend all day the currencies that we spend all day the currencies that we spend all day long without even giving it a second long without even giving it a second long without even giving it a second thought. thought. thought. Uh because a priority, our treasure, is Uh because a priority, our treasure, is Uh because a priority, our treasure, is like a GPS. It points us to a like a GPS. It points us to a like a GPS. It points us to a destination and then our entire life destination and then our entire life destination and then our entire life bends toward that destination. It routes bends toward that destination. It routes bends toward that destination. It routes itself there.

itself there. itself there. So, you know what your priority, you So, you know what your priority, you So, you know what your priority, you know where your heart is when you know know where your heart is when you know know where your heart is when you know what you have set as your priority, what what you have set as your priority, what what you have set as your priority, what you've set as your treasure. you've set as your treasure. you've set as your treasure. How do you know that? The old adage, you How do you know that? The old adage, you How do you know that? The old adage, you know, about if you want to know what know, about if you want to know what know, about if you want to know what someone values, look at their calendar, someone values, look at their calendar, someone values, look at their calendar, doesn't quite hold up the way that it doesn't quite hold up the way that it doesn't quite hold up the way that it used to. Because so much of our lives used to. Because so much of our lives used to. Because so much of our lives are lived in that unscheduled, are lived in that unscheduled, are lived in that unscheduled, uncalendared time that happens on our uncalendared time that happens on our uncalendared time that happens on our phones. phones. phones. Right? We We think, "Oh, I'm just going Right? We We think, "Oh, I'm just going Right? We We think, "Oh, I'm just going to pull my phone out and check social to pull my phone out and check social to pull my phone out and check social media real quick." And then 30 minutes media real quick." And then 30 minutes media real quick." And then 30 minutes later we find that we're still scrolling later we find that we're still scrolling later we find that we're still scrolling it. it. it. Or you think, "I'm just going to watch Or you think, "I'm just going to watch Or you think, "I'm just going to watch one replay of that game on the ESPN one replay of that game on the ESPN one replay of that game on the ESPN app." And next thing you know, you've app." And next thing you know, you've app." And next thing you know, you've watched all of SportsCenter. watched all of SportsCenter. watched all of SportsCenter. Or you think, "I'm just going to check a Or you think, "I'm just going to check a Or you think, "I'm just going to check a few work emails while dinner's cooking." few work emails while dinner's cooking." few work emails while dinner's cooking." And then the rice is stuck to the pot And then the rice is stuck to the pot And then the rice is stuck to the pot and your kids are screaming because and your kids are screaming because and your kids are screaming because they're hungry and you haven't even they're hungry and you haven't even they're hungry and you haven't even finished your work emails. finished your work emails. finished your work emails. I wonder what you would find about your I wonder what you would find about your I wonder what you would find about your treasure if you checked the screen time treasure if you checked the screen time treasure if you checked the screen time report on your phone each week.

report on your phone each week. report on your phone each week. When Jesus went to visit Mary and When Jesus went to visit Mary and When Jesus went to visit Mary and Martha, Martha, Martha, he told Martha um he told Martha um he told Martha um that Mary had chosen the better part that Mary had chosen the better part that Mary had chosen the better part because Martha was distracted by her because Martha was distracted by her because Martha was distracted by her many tasks. many tasks. many tasks. It doesn't say in the scripture that It doesn't say in the scripture that It doesn't say in the scripture that Martha was committing sins. It doesn't Martha was committing sins. It doesn't Martha was committing sins. It doesn't say that um hosting well is a sin, that say that um hosting well is a sin, that say that um hosting well is a sin, that serving well is a sin. serving well is a sin. serving well is a sin. What happened to Martha is that one good What happened to Martha is that one good What happened to Martha is that one good task added to another good task and task added to another good task and task added to another good task and another good task distracted her more another good task distracted her more another good task distracted her more and more from the purpose that she had. and more from the purpose that she had. and more from the purpose that she had. She had invited Jesus into her home and She had invited Jesus into her home and She had invited Jesus into her home and then she completely missed that he was then she completely missed that he was then she completely missed that he was there because all of her good tasks. there because all of her good tasks. there because all of her good tasks. In Proverbs 14, it says there is a path In Proverbs 14, it says there is a path In Proverbs 14, it says there is a path before each person that seems right, but before each person that seems right, but before each person that seems right, but it ends in death. it ends in death. it ends in death. There is a path before every single one There is a path before every single one There is a path before every single one of us that seems right, but it ends in of us that seems right, but it ends in of us that seems right, but it ends in death. death. death. Martha thought that she was on the right Martha thought that she was on the right Martha thought that she was on the right path. She was doing precisely what a path. She was doing precisely what a path. She was doing precisely what a good host should do.

good host should do. good host should do. Many of us do precisely Many of us do precisely Many of us do precisely what we believe a good employee should what we believe a good employee should what we believe a good employee should do. We do precisely what we believe a do. We do precisely what we believe a do. We do precisely what we believe a good mother should do, precisely what we good mother should do, precisely what we good mother should do, precisely what we believe a good um believe a good um believe a good um neighbor should do, precisely what a neighbor should do, precisely what a neighbor should do, precisely what a good business owner should do. That's good business owner should do. That's good business owner should do. That's what's so dangerous about misplaced what's so dangerous about misplaced what's so dangerous about misplaced priority is because it doesn't seem like priority is because it doesn't seem like priority is because it doesn't seem like sin. It seems like diligence. It seems sin. It seems like diligence. It seems sin. It seems like diligence. It seems like responsibility. It seems like what like responsibility. It seems like what like responsibility. It seems like what we should be doing. we should be doing. we should be doing. But many of us are just one busy season But many of us are just one busy season But many of us are just one busy season and one good task away from becoming and one good task away from becoming and one good task away from becoming like Martha. like Martha. like Martha. And it happens to us the way it happened And it happens to us the way it happened And it happens to us the way it happened to her as well, bit by bit by bit. to her as well, bit by bit by bit. to her as well, bit by bit by bit. And so Jesus tells Martha, "Mary has And so Jesus tells Martha, "Mary has And so Jesus tells Martha, "Mary has chosen the better part. Jesus doesn't chosen the better part. Jesus doesn't chosen the better part. Jesus doesn't say that there's no other good parts, say that there's no other good parts, say that there's no other good parts, but that Mary has chosen the better part but that Mary has chosen the better part but that Mary has chosen the better part and everything flows from that. and everything flows from that. and everything flows from that. Jesus is not one more thing on our list Jesus is not one more thing on our list Jesus is not one more thing on our list of priorities.

of priorities. of priorities. Jesus is the priority. Jesus is the priority. Jesus is the priority. And that is our better part. And that is our better part. And that is our better part. Seek ye first the kingdom of God and His Seek ye first the kingdom of God and His Seek ye first the kingdom of God and His righteousness and all of these things righteousness and all of these things righteousness and all of these things will be added to you. It doesn't say will be added to you. It doesn't say will be added to you. It doesn't say that you can't seek other things, that that you can't seek other things, that that you can't seek other things, that there's not good stuff out there. It there's not good stuff out there. It there's not good stuff out there. It says seek first the kingdom and then says seek first the kingdom and then says seek first the kingdom and then everything else takes its right everything else takes its right everything else takes its right position, its proper position in position, its proper position in position, its proper position in relation to that. relation to that. relation to that. In the parable of the great banquet, In the parable of the great banquet, In the parable of the great banquet, Jesus tells a story of a man who invites Jesus tells a story of a man who invites Jesus tells a story of a man who invites people to his home for dinner and they people to his home for dinner and they people to his home for dinner and they accept his invitation and then one by accept his invitation and then one by accept his invitation and then one by one by one start begging off. I've just one by one start begging off. I've just one by one start begging off. I've just bought a field and I need to go look at bought a field and I need to go look at bought a field and I need to go look at it. it. it. I've just bought a herd of oxen and I I've just bought a herd of oxen and I I've just bought a herd of oxen and I need to go make sure that they are in need to go make sure that they are in need to go make sure that they are in good shape. I've just gotten married and good shape. I've just gotten married and good shape. I've just gotten married and so I can't come to dinner. so I can't come to dinner. so I can't come to dinner. Taken by themselves, these are things Taken by themselves, these are things Taken by themselves, these are things that we would say make for a that we would say make for a that we would say make for a well-ordered, well-ordered, well-ordered, respectable life. respectable life. respectable life. That somebody has possessions that they That somebody has possessions that they That somebody has possessions that they want to ensure are in good shape. That want to ensure are in good shape. That want to ensure are in good shape. That they have a vocation, oxen, and they are they have a vocation, oxen, and they are they have a vocation, oxen, and they are being responsible by checking on them by being responsible by checking on them by being responsible by checking on them by on their vocation.

on their vocation. on their vocation. That they got married, that they are That they got married, that they are That they got married, that they are prioritizing relational health and their prioritizing relational health and their prioritizing relational health and their relationship. relationship. relationship. Possessions and vocation and Possessions and vocation and Possessions and vocation and relationships in and of themselves are relationships in and of themselves are relationships in and of themselves are not bad thing, but this parable is about not bad thing, but this parable is about not bad thing, but this parable is about what has become an ultimate thing. what has become an ultimate thing. what has become an ultimate thing. This is This is not about time This is This is not about time This is This is not about time management, about squeezing Jesus in on management, about squeezing Jesus in on management, about squeezing Jesus in on the margins and seeing if you have the the margins and seeing if you have the the margins and seeing if you have the ability to do that. This is a parable ability to do that. This is a parable ability to do that. This is a parable about discipleship. about discipleship. about discipleship. About whether or not you have decided About whether or not you have decided About whether or not you have decided that following Jesus is the first and that following Jesus is the first and that following Jesus is the first and the most important thing, the most important thing, the most important thing, and then whether everything else can and then whether everything else can and then whether everything else can flow from that. flow from that. flow from that. I think vocation, our work, is one that I think vocation, our work, is one that I think vocation, our work, is one that many of us struggle with. I know that I many of us struggle with. I know that I many of us struggle with. I know that I am responsible for misordering work, and am responsible for misordering work, and am responsible for misordering work, and I believe a lot of us have that issue. I believe a lot of us have that issue. I believe a lot of us have that issue. We don't know when to stop. Proverbs We don't know when to stop. Proverbs We don't know when to stop. Proverbs 23:4 says, and this is the CEB version, 23:4 says, and this is the CEB version, 23:4 says, and this is the CEB version, the Common English version, uh and it the Common English version, uh and it the Common English version, uh and it says that do not work just to get rich. says that do not work just to get rich. says that do not work just to get rich. Be smart enough to know when to stop. Be Be smart enough to know when to stop. Be Be smart enough to know when to stop. Be smart enough to know when to stop.

smart enough to know when to stop. smart enough to know when to stop. When we are working hard, look, working When we are working hard, look, working When we are working hard, look, working hard's good. In Colossians 3, it says, hard's good. In Colossians 3, it says, hard's good. In Colossians 3, it says, work with all of your might. But it also work with all of your might. But it also work with all of your might. But it also says as unto the Lord, not for human says as unto the Lord, not for human says as unto the Lord, not for human masters. masters. masters. So when when we are working and we So when when we are working and we So when when we are working and we cannot stop, it is often because we're cannot stop, it is often because we're cannot stop, it is often because we're working unto human masters, or ones that working unto human masters, or ones that working unto human masters, or ones that we have put on ourselves to get rich, to we have put on ourselves to get rich, to we have put on ourselves to get rich, to get a flashy title, to um because we get a flashy title, to um because we get a flashy title, to um because we think that we are invaluable, and nobody think that we are invaluable, and nobody think that we are invaluable, and nobody can do it without us. It's not because can do it without us. It's not because can do it without us. It's not because we are working as unto the Lord. we are working as unto the Lord. we are working as unto the Lord. And so if we find ourselves in this And so if we find ourselves in this And so if we find ourselves in this position of thinking, I I really can't position of thinking, I I really can't position of thinking, I I really can't get out from under how much work I feel get out from under how much work I feel get out from under how much work I feel like I have, or that I have to like I have, or that I have to like I have, or that I have to prioritize it, or that it's getting in prioritize it, or that it's getting in prioritize it, or that it's getting in the way of God and my family and other the way of God and my family and other the way of God and my family and other things, things, things, we might not be practicing um we might we might not be practicing um we might we might not be practicing um we might not be smart enough to stop on our own, not be smart enough to stop on our own, not be smart enough to stop on our own, and we need God to help stop us. We need and we need God to help stop us. We need and we need God to help stop us. We need Jesus in the center so that things flow Jesus in the center so that things flow Jesus in the center so that things flow in their proper way. in their proper way. in their proper way. What God wants us to do is to nourish What God wants us to do is to nourish What God wants us to do is to nourish our soul health, nourish our our soul health, nourish our our soul health, nourish our relationship with God as our primary relationship with God as our primary relationship with God as our primary thing, through through prayer, like even thing, through through prayer, like even thing, through through prayer, like even if it's brief prayers peppered if it's brief prayers peppered if it's brief prayers peppered throughout your day, through time with throughout your day, through time with throughout your day, through time with other Christians, through serving other other Christians, through serving other other Christians, through serving other people, through reading scripture. These people, through reading scripture. These people, through reading scripture. These are the ways that we take care of our are the ways that we take care of our are the ways that we take care of our soul health and we wouldn't think twice soul health and we wouldn't think twice soul health and we wouldn't think twice about taking care of our physical health about taking care of our physical health about taking care of our physical health by getting sleep. In fact, we wouldn't by getting sleep. In fact, we wouldn't by getting sleep. In fact, we wouldn't go a few days without sleeping and then go a few days without sleeping and then go a few days without sleeping and then expect our bodies to work the same way.

expect our bodies to work the same way. expect our bodies to work the same way. We wouldn't live in isolation and expect We wouldn't live in isolation and expect We wouldn't live in isolation and expect that our relationships would survive and that our relationships would survive and that our relationships would survive and for some reason we think that we can put for some reason we think that we can put for some reason we think that we can put our soul health, we think that we can our soul health, we think that we can our soul health, we think that we can put Jesus as just another thing on our put Jesus as just another thing on our put Jesus as just another thing on our priority list, our priorities priority list, our priorities priority list, our priorities and have the same results that we hope and have the same results that we hope and have the same results that we hope to have. to have. to have. But it doesn't work that way. But it doesn't work that way. But it doesn't work that way. In Matthew 19, a rich young man goes to In Matthew 19, a rich young man goes to In Matthew 19, a rich young man goes to Jesus and he asked how he can inherit Jesus and he asked how he can inherit Jesus and he asked how he can inherit eternal life. This is a man who, if you eternal life. This is a man who, if you eternal life. This is a man who, if you stopped him on the road before he met stopped him on the road before he met stopped him on the road before he met Jesus and said, "What is important to Jesus and said, "What is important to Jesus and said, "What is important to you?" He would say the things of God. you?" He would say the things of God. you?" He would say the things of God. Because the first thing he tells Jesus Because the first thing he tells Jesus Because the first thing he tells Jesus is, "I have kept all of the is, "I have kept all of the is, "I have kept all of the commandments, I have kept all of the commandments, I have kept all of the commandments, I have kept all of the laws, I have lived in your way now. How laws, I have lived in your way now. How laws, I have lived in your way now. How do I inherit eternal life?" do I inherit eternal life?" do I inherit eternal life?" He thinks his values are in the right He thinks his values are in the right He thinks his values are in the right place, but Jesus says to him, place, but Jesus says to him, place, but Jesus says to him, >> [clears throat] >> [clears throat] >> [clears throat] >> "Sell your possessions, give them to the >> "Sell your possessions, give them to the >> "Sell your possessions, give them to the poor, poor, poor, and you can follow me." and you can follow me." and you can follow me." And Jesus and and this man walks away And Jesus and and this man walks away And Jesus and and this man walks away sad because he had many possessions sad because he had many possessions sad because he had many possessions and he couldn't do it.

and he couldn't do it. and he couldn't do it. What he thought he valued, what he would What he thought he valued, what he would What he thought he valued, what he would have said he valued, and what it turns have said he valued, and what it turns have said he valued, and what it turns out he actually valued were two out he actually valued were two out he actually valued were two different things. different things. different things. I wonder for us as well. As we're I wonder for us as well. As we're I wonder for us as well. As we're sitting here this morning thinking about sitting here this morning thinking about sitting here this morning thinking about what the screen time report on our phone what the screen time report on our phone what the screen time report on our phone would tell us or what the amount of would tell us or what the amount of would tell us or what the amount of energy that we give to our work would energy that we give to our work would energy that we give to our work would tell us or how we feel about our tell us or how we feel about our tell us or how we feel about our possessions would tell us about what we possessions would tell us about what we possessions would tell us about what we think we value and what it turns out we think we value and what it turns out we think we value and what it turns out we actually value. And so if we recognize that in And so if we recognize that in ourselves, if we recognize that maybe we ourselves, if we recognize that maybe we ourselves, if we recognize that maybe we have not had a match between those have not had a match between those have not had a match between those things, what is it that we're going to things, what is it that we're going to things, what is it that we're going to do about it? do about it? do about it? Because look, if it was as simple as Because look, if it was as simple as Because look, if it was as simple as saying, um I want to put God at the saying, um I want to put God at the saying, um I want to put God at the center of my life and so by gosh, I'm center of my life and so by gosh, I'm center of my life and so by gosh, I'm just going to do it. I'm going to have just going to do it. I'm going to have just going to do it. I'm going to have the best of intentions and this week, the best of intentions and this week, the best of intentions and this week, that is how it's going to work. that is how it's going to work. that is how it's going to work. Well, we wouldn't be having this Well, we wouldn't be having this Well, we wouldn't be having this conversation. conversation. conversation. Because then good intentions would be Because then good intentions would be Because then good intentions would be enough.

enough. enough. But we know they're not. We know that we But we know they're not. We know that we But we know they're not. We know that we actually have to make a commitment and actually have to make a commitment and actually have to make a commitment and figure out how we're going to follow figure out how we're going to follow figure out how we're going to follow through on it. And so when I offer to through on it. And so when I offer to through on it. And so when I offer to you the idea of not just setting a you the idea of not just setting a you the idea of not just setting a priority, priority, priority, but setting posteriorities. but setting posteriorities. but setting posteriorities. That's something that Peter Drucker, who That's something that Peter Drucker, who That's something that Peter Drucker, who is the great management consultant of is the great management consultant of is the great management consultant of the 20th century, came up with this idea the 20th century, came up with this idea the 20th century, came up with this idea that a priority is the thing that we that a priority is the thing that we that a priority is the thing that we make time for. It is the first thing in make time for. It is the first thing in make time for. It is the first thing in our life. our life. our life. But we cannot achieve our priorities But we cannot achieve our priorities But we cannot achieve our priorities unless we have posteriorities, which are unless we have posteriorities, which are unless we have posteriorities, which are the things that we are going to stop the things that we are going to stop the things that we are going to stop doing so that we have time for the thing doing so that we have time for the thing doing so that we have time for the thing that we want to do. that we want to do. that we want to do. What are the things that you are going What are the things that you are going What are the things that you are going to stop doing that are good things so to stop doing that are good things so to stop doing that are good things so that you have time for the best thing? that you have time for the best thing? that you have time for the best thing? That is a hard question for us to That is a hard question for us to That is a hard question for us to answer. answer. answer. You start making a list and you think, You start making a list and you think, You start making a list and you think, but that's that's a good thing. That's a but that's that's a good thing. That's a but that's that's a good thing. That's a good thing. They're all good things. But good thing. They're all good things. But good thing. They're all good things. But what are the good things that you need what are the good things that you need what are the good things that you need to put down on your list or say I'm not to put down on your list or say I'm not to put down on your list or say I'm not going to do this so I have time for the going to do this so I have time for the going to do this so I have time for the best thing?

best thing? best thing? Maybe your posteriority looks like Maybe your posteriority looks like Maybe your posteriority looks like saying, I'm not going to always try to saying, I'm not going to always try to saying, I'm not going to always try to have a perfectly ordered and clean have a perfectly ordered and clean have a perfectly ordered and clean house. house. house. Not because of orderliness is not Not because of orderliness is not Not because of orderliness is not important, but because maybe time for a important, but because maybe time for a important, but because maybe time for a walk with your spouse after dinner is walk with your spouse after dinner is walk with your spouse after dinner is more important. Or time with your kids. more important. Or time with your kids. more important. Or time with your kids. Maybe you say, um my posteriority is Maybe you say, um my posteriority is Maybe you say, um my posteriority is that I'm not going to watch that next that I'm not going to watch that next that I'm not going to watch that next show on Netflix that just stop starts show on Netflix that just stop starts show on Netflix that just stop starts without me having to do anything. without me having to do anything. without me having to do anything. Not because entertainment is bad, but Not because entertainment is bad, but Not because entertainment is bad, but because two or three hours a night takes because two or three hours a night takes because two or three hours a night takes up some of the time that you might spend up some of the time that you might spend up some of the time that you might spend reading scripture or praying or calling reading scripture or praying or calling reading scripture or praying or calling a friend that you need to catch up with. a friend that you need to catch up with. a friend that you need to catch up with. Maybe a posteriority is I'm not going to Maybe a posteriority is I'm not going to Maybe a posteriority is I'm not going to try to keep up with everybody else. try to keep up with everybody else. try to keep up with everybody else. With the Joneses, with social media, With the Joneses, with social media, With the Joneses, with social media, with kids activities, with all the stuff with kids activities, with all the stuff with kids activities, with all the stuff that is a life that I did not even that is a life that I did not even that is a life that I did not even choose for myself that I wouldn't grab choose for myself that I wouldn't grab choose for myself that I wouldn't grab on the way out of a burning building, on the way out of a burning building, on the way out of a burning building, but that I am somehow living every day but that I am somehow living every day but that I am somehow living every day now.

now. now. Maybe a posteriority is as simple as Maybe a posteriority is as simple as Maybe a posteriority is as simple as saying I'm not going to check my phone saying I'm not going to check my phone saying I'm not going to check my phone before this time in the morning or after before this time in the morning or after before this time in the morning or after this time in the evening. this time in the evening. this time in the evening. I don't know what they are for you. I don't know what they are for you. I don't know what they are for you. Maybe there's some questions you could Maybe there's some questions you could Maybe there's some questions you could ask yourself this week as you think ask yourself this week as you think ask yourself this week as you think about those. about those. about those. Questions like what am I doing just Questions like what am I doing just Questions like what am I doing just because everybody else is doing it? Or if my family is really as important Or if my family is really as important to me as I say that they are, to me as I say that they are, to me as I say that they are, what is it that I would stop doing? Or what would my life look like if I Or what would my life look like if I genuinely believed that God had given me genuinely believed that God had given me genuinely believed that God had given me the time to do what God had called me the time to do what God had called me the time to do what God had called me to? to? to? Not what all is on my plate, not Not what all is on my plate, not Not what all is on my plate, not do I have time for all of my priorities, do I have time for all of my priorities, do I have time for all of my priorities, but do I have the time for the thing to but do I have the time for the thing to but do I have the time for the thing to which God has called me? which God has called me? which God has called me? And then everything else that flows from And then everything else that flows from And then everything else that flows from there. there. there. Look, we were not meant to have 15 Look, we were not meant to have 15 Look, we were not meant to have 15 firsts. firsts. firsts. We were meant to have a first.

We were meant to have a first. We were meant to have a first. And then everything else would find its And then everything else would find its And then everything else would find its rightful place. rightful place. rightful place. One of the joys and privileges of my One of the joys and privileges of my One of the joys and privileges of my job, of our job, is that we get to visit job, of our job, is that we get to visit job, of our job, is that we get to visit with folks near the end of their lives. with folks near the end of their lives. with folks near the end of their lives. And we get to hear what they're proud And we get to hear what they're proud And we get to hear what they're proud of, what they're pleased about, what of, what they're pleased about, what of, what they're pleased about, what they regret, what they wish had happened they regret, what they wish had happened they regret, what they wish had happened differently, differently, differently, what they worry about as they near the what they worry about as they near the what they worry about as they near the end. end. end. To a T, To a T, To a T, people say they wish they'd prayed more people say they wish they'd prayed more people say they wish they'd prayed more and worried less. and worried less. and worried less. They wish they had spent more time with They wish they had spent more time with They wish they had spent more time with family and friends and less trying to family and friends and less trying to family and friends and less trying to climb a ladder at work. climb a ladder at work. climb a ladder at work. Nobody says, "I wish that I had spent Nobody says, "I wish that I had spent Nobody says, "I wish that I had spent less time on my relationship with God. less time on my relationship with God. less time on my relationship with God. Further reflection, I did that too Further reflection, I did that too Further reflection, I did that too much." We're not in a hospital room right now. We're not in a hospital room right now. We're not in a burning house. We're not in a burning house. We're not in a burning house. We're We're We're living an ordinary day living an ordinary day living an ordinary day with presumably a series of ordinary with presumably a series of ordinary with presumably a series of ordinary days ahead of us.

days ahead of us. days ahead of us. Take these ordinary days and decide how Take these ordinary days and decide how Take these ordinary days and decide how you're going to give your best hours. you're going to give your best hours. you're going to give your best hours. What is it that you want to be your What is it that you want to be your What is it that you want to be your priority? God, I pray that you would give us God, I pray that you would give us perspective. perspective. perspective. Help us to see our lives as you see Help us to see our lives as you see Help us to see our lives as you see them. them. them. And help us to see you as our priority. And help us to see you as our priority. And help us to see you as our priority. Draw us near to you Draw us near to you Draw us near to you and help clear away everything that and help clear away everything that and help clear away everything that crowds you out. crowds you out. crowds you out. We pray this in your name. We pray this in your name. We pray this in your name. Amen.