How do you maintain a proper sense of priorities amidst the challenges of life?   Arnold Cook describes a phenomenon called historical drift, “Historical Drift is the inherent tendency of human organizations to depart over time from their original beliefs, purposes, and practices, which in the Christian context results in the loss of spiritual vitality.”   

Even if your situation is going well it can be easy to get off course – form has a tendency to override function.  The methodology that years ago may have proved successful may be its nemesis today.  It’s true that “Methods are many, principles are few, methods often change, principles never do.”   So how do you keep the main thing the main thing?

You must stay close to God.  Jesus did not get sidetracked by ancillary issues.  Jesus came with a clear sense of purpose, “For the Son of Man has come to seek and to save that which was lost.” (Luke 19:10).  How did He keep His priorities on track?  It’s fascinating when you consider all of Jesus’ miracles and His effective preaching – what was the most significant aspect of His life that His disciples wanted to learn?

It happened that while Jesus was praying in a certain place, after He had finished, one of His disciples said to Him, “Lord, teach us to pray just as John also taught his disciples.  (Luke 11:1)

Jesus was able to maintain the right priorities because He had a vital relationship with God.  Likewise if you are going to keep in step with God you must have a vibrant and growing relationship with God.  People don’t drift into holiness.  You must have an intentional strategy for growing closer to God:  developing a Bible reading plan, finding a mentor, memorizing key Scriptures, etc.  What is one step you can take to deepen your relationship with God?