First Things First | Lent 2026
By Dan Butler
“When I can't see, You lead me.
When I can't hear, You show me.
When I can't stand, You carry me.
When I'm lost, You will find me.
When I'm weak, You are mighty.
You are everything I need.
You give me everything, You give me everything.
You give me everything I need … “
“Everything” by Lauren Daigle
At Lent, we finally get a chance to break through the surface of life; the noise whispers down as we take time to look around at our reality.
What a fortunate time for our reflection; the plethora of distractions finally fall to the ground like so many juggled plates, and finally our hungers and our desires are exposed!
Jesus calls out to us in our chaotic lives: “FOCUS, my precious child. FOCUS!”
What are you hungering for? What are you mourning not having?
In Luke 6:20-21, it says:
“Blessed are you who are poor,
for yours is the kingdom of God.
“Blessed are you who hunger now,
for you will be satisfied.
“Blessed are you who weep now,
for you will laugh.”
At Lent, we are encouraged to take time to examine those drives that dictate the paths of our lives. At this season we get to pause and reset our priorities. We get to evaluate if we are poor, if we are hungry, if we are weeping. What is the real solution to our problems? What truly will give us joy? What have we been chasing after? Degrees, jobs, relationships? Are our sought-after priorities what will truly give us peace, joy, contentment?
Jesus promises, without blinking, without hesitancy, that safety and rest are only going to be ours when we want Him more than anything else. It’s interesting that the God of Love only opens His door of rest and peace to those who have made the choice to give Him their sole allegiance more than country or family or personal peace and comfort.
So, this week, join us in times of reflection and introspection! We will find Him when we make the decision to come home, to make Him our focused priority! Once He’s our main focus, it is amazing how all of our other desires just fall into place.
He wants us to find the affirmations of family; He wants us to flourish in our jobs; He wants us to have beauty and everything we need in our lives. But all of these come in second place in our life priorities, second to our allegiance to HIM!