Those Who Have Priorities Always Survive The Chaos

Acts 5:29
Peter and the other apostles replied: “We must obey God rather than human beings!

Apostles were arrested for preaching the good news about Jesus. They were thrown in prison but an angel saved them. They were rearrested and brought before the Sanhedrin council of Jewish leaders. They were asked why they were still preaching after being prohibited from preaching. Their response is our key text today!

The Apostles responded by saying that they have a priority on who to obey first. Apostles said that if God and human beings gave orders at the same time, orders that are conflicting, they will prioritize obedience to God. The Apostles had their priorities clear. Those who have priorities always survive the chaos!

It was chaotic, as conflicting orders were given to the Apostles. They had orders from Jesus, God the Son, to preach the gospel all over everywhere. They also had orders from Jewish elders who were religious leaders and who deserved respect, their orders required Apostles to stop preaching the gospel. There was the chaos of prison life, fears, and uncertainty of the future. In that chaos, what saved the day was the priority the Apostles had made. Those who have priorities always survive the chaos!

In chaotic situations, it always seems like there is a demand to do everything at the same time. Yet what must be done at the same time is conflicting. It is like running from a burning house and trying to salvage documents from the same house. You have a life to save and valuable documents to salvage. Time is running out and you are under pressure. To go for the documents is to risk life, and to save a life is to lose valuable documents. That is a chaotic situation. Those who have priorities always survive the chaos!

In a burning house, saving a life is a priority over documents. Without such priorities, others have gone back into burning buildings to pick documents and valuables, and many of them have died. Those who have priorities always survive the chaos!

Apostles rose above the chaos of their arrest by having clear priorities. They said they will obey God and ignore human orders that conflict with God’s will. Those who have priorities always survive the chaos!

In the chaos of everyday living, do you have priorities? Are you in crisis management daily only dealing with what is burning? Do you have plans for each day and each week? Do you know what must be done today amidst all the things that you wish to do? Do you have priorities? Those who have priorities always survive the chaos!

Sit down every day and develop your priorities for the next day. Have a list that you consult. Make sure you attempt all your priorities. Be hard on yourself until you do this and make it a habit. That is the way you will survive the chaos of this life. Those who have priorities always survive the chaos!

Matthew 6:33
But seek first his kingdom and his righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well.

Spiritual matters are not the only things that deserve our attention, but they should be given priority. Seek first the kingdom and not seek only the kingdom. Make spiritual matters a priority in your life. Success comes from focusing on your priorities. Those who have priorities always survive the chaos!

Are you facing chaos in your social life, sit down and list your priorities. For your health, sit down and list your priorities. In your finances, sit down and list your priorities. In your studies and at the workplace, it will remain chaotic, unless you sit down and make your priorities clear. There is chaos everywhere. Those who have priorities always survive the chaos!

Help us, dear God, to survive the chaos we find ourselves in every day. Give us a clear mind on what is our priorities, in Jesus’ name, Amen!

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