With so many things to pay attention to, how do you prioritize what is most important? We only have so many hours in a day, so much capacity to contain information, or process situations. Do you realize how much you consume in the way of information, emotions, and even atmospheres in a day? Our ability to consume is greater than our ability to assimilate what we have consumed. If we do not make space, take time, to assimilate what we have absorbed, we will react rather than respond; we will attack rather than seek to understand; we will hurt others rather than help be one that heals others. We must slow down and assimiliate what we are consuming.

The Passion Translation says in Proverbs 4:23 “So above all, guard the affections of your heart, for they affect all that you are. Pay attention to the welfare of your innermost being, for from there flows the wellspring of life.”

When we are operating in wisdom, we are placing a high priority on our innermost being; we are paying attention to where our affections are going; we are guarding what our heart is being drawn to and why. The Holy Spirit has taught me that self-control is a full time job, that is why I do not have time to micromanage or control anyone else. Now we all can advise, counsel, direct, and walk with other people, but we have no ability or authority to control anyone else, for we do not even have time to assimilate and control all we are consuming, let alone what someone else is.

Church, it is time for a priority shift. We must prioritize guarding our own hearts, assimiliating our own atmosphers and affections, and making sure our wellspring is producing fresh, pure, clean water so when others come into our lives they are refreshed not contaminated by what is coming out of us. Make time, take space, don’t fear the exploration of what you find in your own innermost being, you are your first priority and responsibility. Then when you are faithful with you, you will be entrusted to walk with others.