Exercise, I know that I need it and that it is good for me, and I enjoy being outside and feel much better after the morning walk. Sometimes, however, I just don’t want to do it. I can easily talk myself out of doing something when I really do not want to do it. I procrastinate and find all kinds of excuses: too hot, too cold, too rainy, too busy, etc. I can even rationalize my reasons for not walking (missing just one day will not hurt.). However, once I skip the first day, it becomes easier to skip the next day. I begin to feel less energetic and more tired, and I begin to wonder what is wrong. Then I realize a month has gone by, and I still have not put on my walking shoes. I guess that my daily exercise is just not a priority even though it improves the quality of my health.
    Sometimes, life has a way of getting in the way of doing things I want to do, or will prevent me from doing what I need to do (after procrastinating). I get up each morning with the intention of taking my morning walk; but by the end of some days, I still need to walk. I tell myself I will do better tomorrow…the only problem is that tomorrow never comes. All that we have is today.  Maybe my walking is not the priority I thought it was.
    As I think about this, my thoughts go to time spent with God. Do we do the same thing with God? Do we find excuses for not taking time to read God’s word, pray, and attend church? Some excuses may be: not understanding what is read, don’t know what to read, thoughts wander when I pray. We can also rationalize our reluctance to taking time with God (I go to church on Sunday; that’s all I need). Sometimes we may even put our family ahead of our time with God. The bottom line is that God is not the priority in our lives thought we thought God was.
    God tells us through scripture that we are to have no other gods before God. We are told not to worship idols. Unfortunately, when we place family, job, social events, leisure activities, etc. before God, we are worshiping at the feet of man-made idols. Anything that comes before God will become little gods in our life. Maybe it is time to reconsider life’s priorities. What things may need to change so that God is first? This must be a conscious, intentional decision and a commitment. Remember, God loved us so much that God sacrificed Christ, God’s only son, to save us and give us eternal life. Is spending just a little time with God so much to ask of us?