I would like to express to everyone how much the emails and phone calls meant to inquire whether I had stopped writing this weekly devotion. I got busy with life and our wonderful newspaper publisher cannot remind me every week to submit something. As I reflected upon all the times I have miscommunicated with her, forgotten to submit something, or just flat sent it in too late; I began to think about my relationship with God. I remember my grandmother used to say, “I wish you would call or come by more often.” I would then respond with, “I know grandma, I’ve just been busy.” She said, “It’s interesting with what we keep ourselves busy with isn’t it. Those seem to be the things most important to us.” Ouch! She was and is right though. We are busy with what we “want” to be busy with. In our culture today, we are busy with what it says is “important.” Whatever that means to you. However, I believe that God wants to be the most important thing in our lives. God wants the most attention, affection and admiration. How often do you pray, read the scriptures, study what they mean, reach out in love to others, just listen for a “still, small, voice” speaking in your heart? We are all busy, boy don’t I know it! Busy with what? It’s interesting what we keep ourselves busy with isn’t it…those things seem to be the most important to us. Where does your relationship with the Almighty rank on your list of the “most important” things in your life? Whatever our answers… the correct one…is No. 1!

Tim Beck is pastor of Kenbridge United Methodist Church. His email address is revtimbeck@ gmail.com.