The Importance Of What’s Important

Pastor Marco defined self-control as, “the ability to pursue the important over the urgent.” This isn’t the first time I’ve heard it being said, but I hadn’t really internalized the meaning. It’s easy to look at my life and see what I think is important, because through the grace of God my priorities are no longer in the dead end cycle of addiction. Today, I’m active in church, I actively engage with my family, and present a good work ethic. I can be present today to focus on my responsibilities, and for that I am very grateful! Sounds super great right? Well, I’ve come to the realization that oftentimes that line blurs between urgent daily requirements or obligations and important inner matters of the heart. ‘Urgent’ stands at the forefront of my mind everyday as I try to set out to be who Christ has called me to be; but, what’s truly important?

The shift was so quick. A moment. I had spent over ten years clawed into deep addiction. Endless prayers. Many failed attempts. Many years. Then there was a gentle quiet exchange between my surrender and God's unfailing mercy that now I sit almost two years clean from those afflictions. I am beyond grateful. In that period of my life, it was important to please one person: myself. God changed that. It’s through His grace we are saved, and we are given a whole new life. It was easy to dive head first into that new life, new job, new car and so many other blessings because now that God provided, of course, I now needed to maintain everything. The past became something comfortably compartmentalized in the forbidden cortexes of my brain, as I focused on the urgency of “today”. Although, if I am not able to differentiate what is important versus what is urgent, how could I possibly make room to obtain self-control? I heard what Pastor Marco said, but for the first time, I listened.

There are urgencies bombarded in our minds and in our thoughts every single day that distract and deflect us from the important things we don’t want to face. The deep rooted road down memory lane that isn’t so nostalgic. The family secrets we don’t talk about. The trauma left unsaid. An apology never accepted. The conversation that still needs to happen. An addiction hidden. Whatever it may be; it’s important. It’s in the silent still moments, which oftentimes I have to fight for, that God examines my heart, and He reveals the nooks and crannies that still need healing. What becomes of a heart that leaves important matters unaddressed? It will have a lack of self-control. Without this self-examination of heart my propensity to over-indulge and pursue the wants of the flesh advances in the race against my willing spirit.

The order of the fruits are love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, generosity, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control. Pastor Marco reminds us growth is gradual and symmetrical. Sometimes, it can also be very painful. Perhaps, we start at the end first: self-control. If I address the important over the urgent first, I am set free to do whatever I want through the self-control of the Holy Spirit. I can then walk in confidence because my love doesn’t turn into lust and my peace won’t become stagnant and so forth. Pastor Marco once said, “The enemy wants us to compartmentalize what is spiritual to not experience the fullness of God in everything”. I believe the enemy also wants us to compartmentalize what is important so we lose the self-control needed to bind together all of our fruits. I pray God gives you the discernment to face whatever is important today so you can grow gradually, wholefully, fruitfully and symmetrically.