Finding Your Way: Why Putting God First Changes Everything

Life often feels like we're making it up as we go along. Pastor Dave Thomas from Courageous Church captures this perfectly in his recent sermon, comparing our daily struggles to a competitive family game night where nobody knows the actual rules. The result? Chaos, arguments, and ultimately, no real winner.

But what if there was actually a way to win at life?

The Race Already Marked Out

In Hebrews 12:1, Paul writes about "the race marked out for us." The original Greek word prominon means something already laid out, appointed, or destined—like a track mapped out for a runner. Pastor Dave's experience getting lost during a Spartan race illustrates this beautifully. The problem wasn't that he didn't want to run or finish the race; it was that he couldn't see the markers that would guide him to the finish line.

This is exactly how many of us live our spiritual lives. We have the will to follow God, but we struggle to find the way.

The Heart Behind the First Commandment

When God gave the Ten Commandments, He wasn't an angry deity handing down harsh rules. In Exodus 19, before any commandment is given, God reminds His people: "You yourself have seen what I did to Egypt and how I carried you on eagles' wings and brought you to myself." This is a loving Father who has already stepped in to set people free.

The first commandment—"You shall have no other gods before me"—literally translates to "don't put anything in front of my face." It's not about restriction; it's about removing anything that blocks our ability to see God clearly.

When God Becomes Our Lens

Here's the game-changer: when we see God first, He becomes the lens through which we view our lives. Going through a tough time? We have hope because God promises never to leave or forsake us. Facing loss? We find comfort because "blessed are those who mourn." Encountering challenges? We discover direction because God disciplines those He loves.

But when we put other things first—our goals, careers, relationships, or circumstances—they become the lens through which we see God. Suddenly, job troubles make us question God's love. Extended singleness makes us doubt His plan. Our circumstances distort our view of His character.

Practical Steps to Put God First

Pastor Dave offers three simple but powerful ways to realign our priorities:

Make God's priorities our priorities. This might mean prioritizing church attendance, serving others, or supporting missions—even when it requires sacrifice.

Look to Him first. Instead of trying to solve everything ourselves, we turn to God's Word, worship, prayer, or simply doing what He's asked us to do, even when it doesn't make sense.

Follow His directions. Step by step, marker by marker, we move in the ways He calls us to move.

The Way to Win

Jesus said, "Seek first his kingdom and his righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well." Too often, we seek first our own kingdom and ask God to build it. But there's a better way—God's way.

The beautiful truth is that God has already gone ahead of us, marking out the path through every mountain, desert season, and challenging moment we'll face. We just need to learn how to find His markers and follow them to victory.