I forget which grade I was in but it was definitely high school. And it was the day of the big math test.

I remember that the problems were complicated. You had to follow all the mathematical rules, what the teacher called the “order of operations.” If you didn’t, your entire answer would get messed up.

But guess what? I totally blanked and forgot everything I had learned! And since I didn’t get the first part of the equation right, the rest of the equation was wrong.

That’s like life. If you don’t get the first and most important part of the equation right, everything else gets messed up too. And to be clear, the first and most important part of the equation is your relationship with God. It makes all the difference.

When you give God first place other things fall into place. 

That doesn’t mean your life will always be easy; it means it will be more godly.

-If you seek God’s will in your decisions, they will be wiser.
-If you seek God’s will with your health, you will be stronger.
-If you seek God’s will in your relationships, they will be godlier.
-If you seek God’s will in your nine-to-five, they will have more integrity.

But if you don’t give God first place, the various compartments of your life will bear the consequence and stench of confused priorities.

“Order of operations” matter—in mathematics, and in life.

Today, with whatever you’re facing, remember Proverbs 3:6: “In all your ways acknowledge him, and he will make straight your paths.”

When you give God first place other things fall into place.

By Matthew Ruttan

–I’m on vacation until August 26. So today’s devotional is previously published from the book: “Up! – 313 Devotionals To Help You Start Your Day in a Biblical, Relevant Way.” Click here to learn more about the book, to read endorsements, and to find order information.

–Bible quotes are from the NIV.