What Matters Most?

When God is first, everything else finds its rightful place. 

In the hustle of daily life, it’s easy to move from one task to the next without really stopping to think about why we’re doing any of it. We set goals, make routines, pursue deadlines, and pack our schedules. But when the noise stops, and all the distractions fade away, there is a question that we need to ask ourselves: What matters most?

If everything else was stripped away, what would you fight to protect? What would you still chase after, even without applause or recognition? For me, when I stop and get still enough to listen, the answer is clear: peace, purpose, and the people God has placed in my life. Everything else is basically decoration. Keeping that clarity isn't easy when life's demands are loud.

Putting God first sounds simple, but it can be incredibly tough. So many mornings I wake up and immediately jump into “go mode”. I grab my phone immediately, check my calendar and socials, and mentally list all the things I must do today. Before I even realize it, I’ve started my day in auto-pilot, leaning on my own strength, instead of asking for God’s help.

But here's the truth: priorities are built on values and beliefs. And whether we like it or not, our actions reveal them. We may say God comes first, or that our family matters most, or that peace is a non-negotiable, but if our days never reflect that, it’s time for realignment.

In Get Serious and Other Principles to Pull You Through, there's a chapter called “Put God First,” and in it I wrote: “Putting God first means we get His input and green light before establishing plans.” When we do that, we can move forward knowing our steps are aligned with His will, and that they’ll be blessed.

One powerful daily practice is simply asking God: “Align my life with Your will.” Ask Him to help you make decisions that reflect what truly matters. Ask for the strength to let go of what doesn’t. And ask for wisdom to recognize when your actions are pulling you away from your values.

When you live in alignment, there’s peace. Period. When you prioritize what matters most, there’s purpose. And when you make God your first priority, everything else will fall into place. I'm a witness! Don’t wait for a crisis or burnout to clarify what’s most important. Ask yourself now: If everything else disappeared, what would I fight to keep?

Nugget of Truth:

When God is first, everything else finds its rightful place. Ask Him daily to align your life with His will, and trust that He will guide your steps. Your peace, your purpose, and "your people" are the things worth fighting for. So, let your priorities reflect what matters most.