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Recently we explored how that God directs Christ Followers to assemble themselves together, but in his Word; he does tell us that some will have a “habit” of not participating (Hebrews 10:25). It has made me ponder and evaluate where I am in my walk and what habits do I have. Are my habits godly? Do they glorify God? What areas of my life does God need to change?

When I was first married and my husband I would come home on military leave, it was extremely hard at times. I would love being home with my parents and seeing them. We were close. When it came time for me to leave it was like my heart broke all over again. I loved them so much I did not want to leave them, but God had me on another path. I needed to love what God had for me more than what I loved. I needed to love God the most.

The Word says, “Anyone who loves their father or mother more than me is not worthy of me. Anyone who loves their son or daughter more than me is not worthy of me. Whoever does not pick up their cross and follow me is not worthy of me. Whoever finds their life will lose it. Whoever loses their life because of me will find it.” (Matthew 10:37-39) You think what an odd thing for Jesus to say to his disciples, but he was making a point.

God gives us family. In fact, he is the One who created family. He loves family. It is true that we are to love our families and take care of each other, but nothing should ever be more important than God. When other people, positions and things become more important than God, then our focus is not clear. We cannot love unless we 100% love God. The Word says, we love because God first loved us.

It was never wrong for me to love my parents. God is not asking me to stop loving my parents. He is asking me to make Him my priority yes, even over my children. That might be hard to grasp. God loves our family more than we do. He created them. He breathed life into them. He wants them to love him too.

This week as we pick up our cross, let us be mindful to truly follow God in every area of our lives. Let us be mindful that God should be the priority so that we in turn can love our family, friends and co-workers with the godly love that has been given to us.

Yvette Perrin can be reached at theword2yvette@gmail.com.