First things first

Why do we so often defer what we should do in favor of something easier and less important? Don't we sooner or later regret the postponement? The surest way to get a handle on procrastination is to put first things first -- put our relation to God and understanding of Him ahead of anything else. Mary Baker Eddy n1 states, "To grasp the reality an order of being in its Science, you must begin by reckoning God as the divine Principle of all that really is." n2

n1 Mrs. Eddy is the Discoverer and Founder of Christian Science;

n2 Science and Health with Key to the Scriptures,m p. 275;

Principle, God, governs all. He endows man with every good quality. In our real, spiritual nature we are His reflection, never deviating from obedience to Him. The divine order is the order of our being.

Keeping these facts in view, we will turn consistently to God for guidance, and follow His direction. We will recognize that we express the divine attributes, such as wisdom, intelligence, adn strength, that permit us to pursue His way. The Psalmist said, "The steps of a good man are ordered by the Lord: and he delighteth in his way." n3

n3 Psalms 37:23;

What if we have so much to do that we feel hopelss and don't know where to start? This is the time to turn from such a confusing picture and seek God's leading, the time to realize that He is the one Mind, the all-knowing, unerring source of every true thought. This may well lead to a review of the jobs to be done to determine which ones can be shortened, postponed, or elimianted. The result will be wise, calm action and confidence that everythig will be done on time and correctly.

We can be watchful that trivialities do not interrup our work and cause us to waste time doing what is not vital. If we are not alert, we may find ourselves stopping to make a needless phone call, reading something that contributes nothing to what we are doing, or indlging in some other activity that fritters away our time. When we see that Mind's control gives us steadfastness to resist such interruptions, they will cease to occur, or we will not be tempted by them.

One insidious time-robber is inordinate television-watching. As we remember that God governs our actions and desires, we will be discrimianting in our TV viewing, and thus better able to do first what merits first attention.

There is no question that Christ Jesus put first things first, and taught his followers to do the same. His specific instruction to his disciples was, "Seek ye first the kingdom of God, and his righteousness; and all these things shall be added unto you." n4

n4 Matthew 6:33.

As we keep this purpose at the base of our living and decision-making, we'll find that our Father gives us the understanding and ability to do first things first. We'll express divine wisdom in ordering our lives in accordance with His holy plan. DAILY BIBLE VERSE Love not sleep, lest thou come to pverty; open thine eyes, and thou sahlt be satisfied with bread. Proverbs 20:13