How many ways have you heard the concept of setting priorities addressed? I recently came across a new take on that idea in a book by Andy Stanley called Choosing To Cheat. In the book he is primarily addressing the difficult task of balancing the competing commitments of family and work, but I think his underlying idea can apply equally well to many aspects of prioritizing our commitments in life. I appreciate his unique spin on the discipline of priority-setting, and want to share an excerpt of his thinking as written in his book.

            When we cheat, we choose to give up one thing in hopes of gaining something else of greater value. Typically this involves giving up an intangible virtue for a tangible reward. Students give up their integrity for the sake of a grade. Salesmen give up their credibility for the sake of a sale...

            So when I talk about "choosing to cheat," I'm referring to the decision to give up one thing in order to gain something else. This is something we do every day. We don't think of it as cheating. Especially when we are making what most people would consider a good trade. Saying no to dessert for the sake of one's waistline would hardly be considered cheating, but isn't it true that you've cheated your appetite? Both your appetite and your self-control cry out for your attention. To say yes to one is to say no to the other. Either your appetite or your self-control is going to be cheated out of what it demands. You can't have it both ways.[1]

What would it look like for us to align our lives totally with the priorities of God's kingdom? Would our lives look radically different, or slightly different? Of course it depends on how closely we currently have our lives aligned, but let's ask ourselves how our lives would be different. In what areas would you choose to cheat? What am I willing to give up for the sake of more fully entering God's reign?

            As we enter the season of Lent, instead of giving up something simply to deprive ourselves, let's focus on the trade we are going to make. What am I gaining in return for my surrender? Is it a good deal, or will we simply complain about whatever it is that we are missing? My guess is that the more we are able to focus on what our surrender has gained us, the less we will even notice, or feel as if we've given up something. As Jesus says in Mark 8:35 For whoever wants to save their life will lose it, but whoever loses their life for me and for the gospel will save it.

            As we "give up" something or choose to cheat in some out-of-balance area of our life, may we begin to see the wisdom in "cheating" and in the willingness to allow God to prove Himself faithful to those walking in The Way of Jesus. Let God show us that His lasting reward will always outweigh whatever passing "loss" we may experience.

            May you truly be blessed as you discern where God would have you "cheat" during the Lenten season.

Pastor Carl

[1] Andy Stanley, Choosing To Cheat, Thomas Nelson Publishers, 2001, p. ix (Intro)