Capital C

Today at our MOPS meeting a friend shared the testimony of God at work through her (young) husband's battle with cancer. One of the things that stuck out to me was that she and her husband, early on, decided not to make cancer the "capital C" in their lives, instead keep Christ the center. This is possible through any trial, not just cancer. There is so much that takes over our lives that is not as important as our relationship with Christ. I'm sure all of us struggle with this on different levels, keeping Christ the "Capital C." It's an interesting thing that when a major trial comes our way, it is sometimes easier to rely on Christ alone. Our frailty as humans must depend on the strength of our Creator. When things are good, the priorities change a little, the One who will never leave us or forsake us slips to the side. He takes second, third, or worse to the temporary highs and lows in life. Solomon wrote to "catch for us the foxes, the little foxes that ruin the vineyard..." Spouses, kids, health goals, work deadlines, even preoccupation with the future eats away a little bit at a time. Sooner than we realize it's been days, then weeks of neglected Bible study and intentional prayer time. 1 Thessalonians 5:16-18 says "Be joyful always; pray continually; give thanks in all circumstances, for this is God's will for you in Christ Jesus." That part about giving thanks and being joyful is possible, through trials, and in times things are so peaceful and good that we don't feel we "need" God. What we ought to do is prevent other things from eating away at our God-first priority, ahead of the good and the bad. As we are tempted to allow priorities to shift, keep our minds obedient to the Bible. Keep Christ the capital C.