I wrote a blog several weeks ago called, “Consider Your Ways,” reflecting on Scripture from the book of Haggai. It is a short book of the Bible packed with wisdom for us.

As I was sitting in my flower garden area this morning, I was, once again, drawn to that Old Testament book. The temple had not been rebuilt, and the Lord tells the people of Judah through Haggai to consider their ways because they had sown much, but they had harvested little. He tells them they are more concerned about their own houses while God’s house lies in ruins.

We need to pay close attention to our priorities. God doesn’t tell us to ignore our needs or our neighbors’ needs, but he does give us direction on what should take first place in our lives and in all of our decisions: God and his purposes come first. Our spiritual priorities have a direct  impact on our lives and our relationships.

God comes first in my life, in my marriage, in my parenting, in my career, in my church service, and every other action I take and relationship I engage in. All else comes after that.

“Thus says the Lord of hosts: Consider your ways. Go up to the hills and bring wood and build the house, that I may take pleasure in it and that I may be glorified, says the Lord. You looked for much, and behold, it came to little. And when you brought it home, I blew it away. Why? declares the Lord of hosts. Because of my house that lies in ruins, while each of you busies himself with his own house.” Haggai 1:7-9