Israel Houghton – Everything

The apostle Paul saw so many things in life that took away from the opportunity of ministry. Along with business, joy and grief, he did comment on marriage too. It was not that Jesus said anything differently – the gospel has always been the ultimate priority.

I want you to be free from anxieties. The unmarried man is anxious about the things of the Lord, how to please the Lord. But the married man is anxious about worldly things, how to please his wife, and his interests are divided. And the unmarried or betrothed woman is anxious about the things of the Lord, how to be holy in body and spirit. But the married woman is anxious about worldly things, how to please her husband. I say this for your own benefit, not to lay any restraint upon you, but to promote good order and to secure your undivided devotion to the Lord. – 1 Corinthians 7:32-35  ESV

I know I have used my family as my spiritual trump card for not doing something God has called me to do. I have openly said that because of my family obligations I could not worship, help others, teach Bible classes, open up my home for Bible discussions and many other ways that I could have helped to serve in the kingdom of God. Here I am again today being challenged to prioritize the gospel.

My takeaway is that my priority calling is more important than my secondary calling. My priority is to love and honour Christ as His disciple. In so doing, I pray this prayer:

Make your face shine on your servant;
    save me in your steadfast love! – Psalm 31:16  ESV