“New” Priorities

God has called us to be holy, not to live impure lives. 1 Thessalonians 4:7

Prior to the events of September 11, 2001, Roger McMillan was living with Ganelle Guzman, the last survivor found among the rubble of the World Trade Center. They loved each other and enjoyed their lives together. But something was missing in their relationship.

Roger and Ganelle had attended the Brooklyn Tabernacle a couple of times. They felt inspired each time they went but weren’t ready to commit to the lifestyle a relationship with Christ would require of them.

After the terrorist attacks, Ganelle was trapped in the rubble of the World Trade Center. During her time in captivity, both she and Roger did a lot of soul searching and a lot of praying. Both of them came to the conclusion that they needed God, and they both asked Jesus to come into their lives.

After twenty-six hours, Ganelle was rescued. During her recovery in the hospital, she made some decisions concerning her priorities as a new believer. She told Roger, “If we are going to stay together, things are going to have to change. We have to stop living in sin. And we are going to the Brooklyn Tabernacle every week.”

Roger agreed. Without hesitation, he got down on one knee and asked Ganelle to marry him. The sudden realization that he could have lost her made life seem less casual. Roger began to see what was important in life. For Roger, expressing his love for Ganelle and doing it in a noble and godly way became an instant priority.

Life in Christ requires us to live lives that are different from those in the world around us. How does your relationship with Christ affect your priorities and how you live them out?

Lord, help me to set the priorities you would have me set and live them out in the way you would have me live them out.