First Thing First

I have been thinking a lot about first things first. If something or someone is first (supreme, topnotch, second to none, paramount, in the lead) than it is really first. It cannot be second. If it falls to second than it really is not first. What is first in my life? Unquestionably God. Unquestionably?

My mind wanders to all of the things that compete for first place, myself to begin with. In seminary a professor said that the answer is always in Scripture, even in the Lectionary.  So, I had that in mind when I read the gospel reading for this Sunday: the story of John the Baptist baptizing Jesus. What did this gospel passage have to do with my reflections on first things first?

The Lectionary gospel reading for this Sunday is Mark 1:4-11, the story of John baptizing his cousin Jesus. John certainly is a person who lived first things first, even down to how he dressed and what he ate. He lived differently, dramatically different from the rest of his culture. He definitely lived first things first, even to the point of death. John had his priorities straight. Do I need to dress in the North American 21st century equivalent to itchy camel hair? Do I do need to eat locust and wild honey. I prefer maple syrup to honey. I do not think we even have locust around here. Does John set up an unreal expectation for me as to how I should live wholeheartedly with first things first? Do I need to be dramatically different from the predominate culture to demonstrate that God is first in my world of first things first?

Maybe that is why I find myself challenged by the story of John the Baptist. His answer is "Yes" I do need to live drastically different from those around me. That does include how I dress, i.e., modestly, and what I eat, i.e., in moderation. It also includes the entertainment I enjoy, the music I listen to, the art I value, the jokes I laugh at, where I spend my money, my charitable giving, and perhaps even the type of coffee I brew (fair trade). Living differently than those around me includes things like living justly, being generous with my time and resources, putting the needs of others before my own, listening and being truly present in relationships, not judging. It can be downright uncomfortable, just like wearing itchy camel hair.

First things first living is not the default way we live. If God is first why does it seem that at times he is second? He cannot be first if he is ever second. I make him second when I behave selfishly. How was John the Baptist able to keep his priorities straight? Because he knew his mission and he knew he was not accomplishing that mission as a team of one. He was not a solo act. John was able to live so radically different because of his relationship with God. John lived first things first because of his dependence on God and his commitment to his God-given mission.

Because of God I can live with my priorities right, first things first. God knows I cannot live differently from the world around me without him empowering me to do so. So he empowers me to live differently, even if it appears to be drastically different from rest of the world. Even if it is itchy.

What a relief!