1 Timothy 4:8 — For bodily exercise profiteth little: but godliness is profitable unto all things, having promise of the life that now is, and of that which is to come.

Spent some time this afternoon watching the U.S. Masters. You might think it odd that a non-athletic type like me, who has never even played golf, should be so interested. But I’m fascinated by the twists and turns, and the interplay between the characters involved.
My sporting interests had to be suspended this afternoon though, as we had a choir practice. Of course I’d rather be singing than watching golf so it was a pleasure. What was great to see was that most of the choir obviously feel the same way, although I know there’s quite a few avid golfers in the number.
It’s not like that all the time with everyone. Sometimes I’m saddened when I’m in the choir loft looking out on a congregation that obviously fluctuates according to what other attractions might be on offer.
Of course, after I’ve self-righteously mused on the fickleness of other church goers there’s that voice speaking up in the back of mind. “Oh yes, and how many Sundays have you missed recently because you’ve been away for work?” “Well, yes,” I say, “but that’s different. That’s work.” Back comes the answer — “So you have your priorities, and they have their’s and your’s are more important?” Ouch!
Balancing priorities might be the hardest problem, day-to-day, that a man has to deal with. Maybe it’s the same for a woman too, but I’m not fool enough to claim that I know! But when you have work, family, church, leisure … Ministry, mission, vocation … All these to weigh against each other, what’s a man to do?
God makes the issues quite plain. First things first — “Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind. This is the first and greatest commandment.” Nothing can come before God in our priorities. Though it’s not so explicit, I think what comes next is pretty clear too: “Husbands, love your wives, even as Christ also loved the church, and gave himself for it;” That’s a very high order of sacrifice, and it seems to me that it makes a man’s wife number two in the priority list. Then comes work. God gave us work, so I’m pretty sure that’s important.
What about all the other stuff? Well to me it’s a sort of pyramid. God’s on top. Wife next. Then work. All the rest — sport, leisure, hobbies … Even ministry … whatever … only matters to the extent that it supports those top three priorities.
You know I’m not certain that my priorities are right for everyone. They are my priorities, as best I understand them. How about you, have you got your priorities straight. Here’s a clue. If golf comes first, read what Paul says about bodily exercise!