When it comes to listing our priorities, everyone seems to know the right answer. It’s our faith first, family second, and after that, whatever we choose. Now we of course don’t always live by these priorities, it just means we paid attention in Sunday school.

We are taught early on to seek first the Kingdom of God which sounds really great, because you know, it’s in the Bible and all. But frankly, there are many days when I don’t know what that means. Or maybe I know what it means, but I really don’t know what to do with it.

Is it about beginning each day with prayer and Bible study? Is that really seeking God’s Kingdom? This is fairly easy for a minister but what about a single mom with three jobs? Is she neglecting the Kingdom because she didn’t have her quiet time?

Could putting God first mean that my commitment to church trumps everything else? But again, how far does that go? Am I neglecting the Kingdom by skipping church to be with my family or friends in a time of need?

“Seek first the Church of God?” Doesn’t quite have the same ring to it.

I don’t think I am alone in trying to figure this out. It seems that the idea of making God our number one priority is a nebulous one.

So let me suggest this, let’s stop putting God first. Let’s put God in the middle.

Because here’s the thing about putting something first, this necessitates putting something second which means, inevitably, you will choose as some point to move away from what’s first.

Think of your life as a wheel with spokes and a hub in the center. The spokes represent areas of your life; work, kids, spouse, friends. God belongs in the hub, connected to every part.

We can practice the presence of God no matter what we are doing, from the sacred to the mundane. As Paul writes in Colossians 3; Whatever you do, whether in word or deed, do it all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through him.

God’s not first; He’s in the middle of it all.