The Main Thing

July 29, 2025

From Pastor Joseph Wamack

“Hot town-summer in the city. Back of my neck getting dirty and gritty.” Such memorable lyrics from a classic 60’s song, especially for Boomers like me. It certainly has been a hot town here in Atlanta for the past few weeks. Summer memories are usually good for me-school is out, more family time, relaxation. But I am not a fan of the summer heat. I think I would almost prefer the fall/winter chill and cold.

How have you spent your summer? For many people, there have been vacations and trips to places like the Smoky Mountains or Dismal World in Orlando, or even the General Conference sessions in St. Louis. Vonnie and I have had our two grandsons for 5 weeks straight (that means 24/7 since early July!) That is very time-consuming!

I share this with you so you will reflect on your memory-making and the way and manner in which you occupy your time. We all have 24/7 time, but depending on your physical health, or the health of your loved ones, or if you are working, or if you have small children, your day could look quite different from someone else. We each have 24 hours in a day, but they can be spent totally differently, depending on your responsibilities.

The Apostle Paul says in 1 Corinthians 15: 3-4, “For I delivered to you as of first importance what I also received: that Christ died for our sins in accordance with the Scriptures, that he was buried, that he was raised on the third day in accordance with the Scriptures.”

What was of first importance to Paul was that people understood how and why Jesus died and was resurrected. I am sure there were other things Paul was concerned about, maybe the summer heat, maybe he wanted a vacation, maybe he had a loved one that was ill. He, like you and me, had a world full of cares and attention-grabbers. And yet somehow, he was able to identify what was of “first importance” to him.

Question: what is of “first importance” to you? It might be sharing and knowing Christ, but honestly your mind, your life might be focused on something else. The first step to prioritizing your life is to have an honest talk with yourself. And then “have a little talk with Jesus.” It could go something like this:

“Jesus, give me strength. Give me the ability to set priorities, to make first things first, to make the main thing the main thing. Summer fun, summer sun, concerns and cares are important, but Sweet Jesus, what is of first importance? Show Yourself to me dear Lord so I can love You and love those around me with an undivided heart.”

I pray for you MAC family, that God gives you the desires of your heart as they align with His will for you. And that the summer hours are a blessing to you, and that the coming school year is a good one!