It’s interesting how much of life is made up of choices and how often those choices are simply between Option A and Option B (without an Option C in the picture). Sometimes it comes down to deciding which one of life’s roles takes precedence at that moment. And, it affects all ages.
A young child may have to choose between friendships to decide which Saturday activity to attend. “Am I Harry’s friend first or am I Bill’s friend first?”
A pre-teen may have to choose between a church activity and a school activity. “Am I a ‘youth group member’ first or am I a cheerleader first?”
A teenager may have to choose between a night at home doing “nothing” and a rowdy party at a classmate’s house while their parents are out of town. “Am I pure first or am I popular first?”
A college student may have to choose between getting up on Sunday morning to go to church all alone and sleeping in like everyone else. “Am I a God-glorifying Christian first or am I a go-along-to-not-get-noticed roommate first?”
A young adult on a date may have to choose between being the stronger person who keeps situations from going too far and the one who follows the passions of the moment beyond the line of acceptable non-married physical interaction. “Am I a save-myself-for-marriage person first or am I an enjoy-the-moment-and-feel-loved person first?”
A father or mother may have to choose between the responsibilities toward their mate and the responsibilities toward their child. “Am I a husband/wife first or am I a father/mother first?”
A devoted worker or career chaser may have to choose between family time (with their two “families”) and work time. “Am I a devoted family man/woman first or am I a get-ahead-in-the-workplace man/woman first? Am I a devoted child of God (and brother/sister in Christ) first or am I a get-ahead-in-the-workplace man/woman first?”
A preacher/teacher/church leader may have to choose between being faithful to the Word and being “accepted by the people.” “Am I a true-to-the-book-no-matter-what individual or am I a let’s-not-rock-the-boat individual?”
So many decisions in life! And, so many come down to a choice between your “Christian life” and your “earthly life.” Every hour of every day there is a decision that you are constantly required to make—“Am I a Christian first or am I something else first?” Whatever that “something else” is, is it worth it? Is it worth (short-term and long-term) being first?