It is an easy thing to get off track in our Christian lives for all the clutter that comes our way.  The kind of mishmash I refer to is that of good Christian things.  Whether it be from the latest best-selling author or some exciting trend that has exploded in the Christian scene – we tend to be eager to sit under it to give it a try for all its hoopla.  In our hearts, we say, ‘perhaps this is the key to my spiritual bliss.’ I recall books such as ‘the Prayer of Jabez, ‘the Purpose Driven Life’ and the ‘5 love languages’ that were the talk of the Christian circles I was in.  I seemed to gravitate to the latest and greatest teacher and the top publications of the day. The more hype, the better!  Looking back, I can say they had no impact whatsoever – except for one thing, deviation. Today I rarely go into Christian bookstores.  To be honest, I am angered and offended when I do, for what is put on the shelves in the name of Christ -so rarely go.  Today I enjoy the old classic writings of men of God and a small select few today and greatly appreciate them – more than I ever did; for one thing, the Word of the Lord is sacred to them, handled with reverence and preached in its purest form. 

I think that we ought to center ourselves – regularly in our Christian walk with the Lord.  Those who are freshly on the path, along with those who have been on it a while.  In computer terms, we need to defrag and apply our spyware update and refresh.  Jesus tells us what is the absolute importance to Him and to God to which I will get to, that will help us get our priorities in sync with God’s – but I think it important to see what may be what easily gets off track in the first place.  Previously, I called what this is generally as (Christian) clutter and will get into what it may be specified.   

I hear passionate pleas in the voices of men and women of God, asking, ‘what is your gifts?  What is your ministry?  Where are you serving the Lord?’ with the intent to send us on a vigil quest through this emotional appeal with a driving force not of the Holy Spirit but of not measuring up.  I speak this way through my own experience, and I remember feeling like I was disappointing God somehow according to what the teacher imposed upon me.  I did not realize that I was being groomed to become a Martha; Matt 10:40-42 seeking the ‘doings’ for Jesus and steering away from choosing the ‘good part’ which was sitting at the feet of Jesus. 

“But one thing is needed, and Mary has chosen that good part, which will not be taken away from her.”

There is nothing wrong with preaching and expounding upon our service for the Lord, but it is wrong when there is no context or foundation, for it will lead many astray onto paths of futility. 

Jesus tells us our priority in John 17, through a prayer He has prayed – for all who believe in Him and are His. 

What is our priority?  Oneness with the Lord Jesus Christ and God the Father, through the Holy Spirit of God.

As we seek what Jesus has obtained for us, through His blood, to apprehend it, our roots will grow into Him becoming one with the Vine and growing more and more into Him – and out of this, we will flow in our service to God!  It is noteworthy to notice that in the entire prayer, Jesus does not make reference to serving or ministering or any gifting.    

I firmly believe that our task is to join our Lord in the oneness He has provided us through His Son – period!  Our ministry is to minister (first) to Him, and out of this, we become ministers to others.   Ministry should never be sought out or above this order. 

And this is eternal life, that they may know You, the only true God, and Jesus Christ whom You have sent; John 17:3.

“I do not pray for these alone, but also for those who will believe in Me through their word;  that they all may be one, as You, Father, are in Me, and I in You; that they also may be one in Us, that the world may believe that You sent Me.  And the glory which You gave Me I have given them, that they may be one just as We are one:  I in them, and You in Me; that they may be made perfect in one, and that the world may know that You have sent Me, and have loved them as You have loved Me.”

“Not everyone who says to Me, ‘Lord, Lord,’ shall enter the kingdom of heaven, but he who does the will of My Father in heaven. Many will say to Me in that day, ‘Lord, Lord, have we not prophesied in Your name, cast out demons in Your name, and done many wonders in Your name?’  And then I will declare to them, ‘I never knew you; depart from Me, you who practice lawlessness!’ – Matt 7:21-23