First Things First

exhortation - First Things First

And let us consider one another in order to stir up love and good works. Hebrews 10:24

A few years ago, I (Teresa) was going through what I thought was significant growth in my spiritual journey. My quiet times with the Lord were a daily blessing, and my Scripture memorization was renewing my mind. I was feeling particularly “spiritual,” so I took it upon myself to try to exhort David.

At first, I noticed that David’s quiet time seemed different from mine. He would read passages of Scripture and then often go for a walk outside or sit in his lounge chair and meditate on what he had read. He even had a different way of memorizing. He would simply read the verses over and over again, then meditate on them.

Seeing those differences between his quiet time and mine, I was certain that David needed my exhortation in order to increase his spiritual intimacy with the Lord. What was my exhortation? I told him he needed to write something down! You see, my style of personal devotion included filling in devotional guides, writing in a journal, and writing out my memory verses on handy index cards. I mistakenly concluded that if David wanted to have a really good quiet time, then he needed to do it the same way I did.

As I tried to convince David of the truth in my exhortation, the Holy Spirit prompted me with today’s Scripture verse. The first few words jumped off the page: “Let us consider one another.” The Spirit reminded me that before I could exhort David, or “stir him up,” I need to first “consider him.” That means asking questions about him. What are his preferences? How does he learn and relate? I realized that I am ready to truly exhort David only after I have considered him and who he is apart from me.

How will you give thorough consideration to your spouse today?