What matters most

Another to whom he said, ‘Follow me,’ replied, ‘Let me go and bury my father first.’

But he answered, ‘Leave the dead to bury their dead;

 your duty is to go and spread the news of the kingdom of God.’

Luke 9:59 - 60

Texan pastor and former South American missionary Max Lucado is renowned as memorable preacher, and the following is a powerful example of his preaching (and one of his many quotable quotes):

When you are in the final days of your life, what will you want? Will you hug that college degree in the walnut frame? Will you ask to be carried to the garage so you can sit in your car? Will you find comfort in rereading your financial statement? Of course not. What will matter then will be people. If relationships matter most then, shouldn’t they matter most now?

[Max Lucado (2007) Building a Godly home, p.44]

There’s no doubt that we need to be clear about what our priorities in life are. Jesus’ words challenge us: is there a real intention to desert your bereaved family so that you go and proclaim the Good News? The allusion to the calling of Elisha (1 Kings 19:19f) gives us a clue: Elisha does go back, slaughters his oxen, burns his plough, cooked the beasts and fed his people and then followed Elijah. So the point is that we must follow through our intentions with actions. Just do it!

Lucado reminds us with equal clarity that what is most important in life are our relationships, not the things that appear to occupy our lives, by their acquisition, maintenance, or improvement. Yes, we ought return to say our goodbyes to our families before we go off to seek our fortunes, but we ought not ever forget those who nourish our days, who bring us joy, who celebrate our being.