When I turned 40 years old, I abruptly quit my job. Having been an entrepreneurial CEO of a fast growing company over the previous 8 years, I had spent countless hours working and traveling in order to build and strengthen the business. I had always told myself that if I attained a level of financial security, I would stop my long hours and put my family first. After selling the business, I followed through on my promise to myself and resigned. I let everyone know I was resigning so I could put my family first.
My business friends found it strange that I would stop my career just as it was getting started. My actions were counter-cultural. I believed God was at work in my life, helping me through a major transition.
Finally, I had gotten my priorities straight! I was feeling proud of myself and thought my priority of family first would be pleasing to God. Then I read/re-read the story of Abraham being told by God to kill his son and I didn’t understand. I read/re-read the story of Hosea being told by God to marry an adulterous woman and I didn’t understand. If God wanted family to be my number one priority, how could He ask these men to destroy their families?
More than a decade later, I now believe God wants me to make Him my first priority. God wants to be first in our lives. Not because He needs us, but because He loves us. God knows what is best for us and knows we get distracted and tempted and can make idols out of almost anything, including our families. – Bill Ernstrom, Director of Operations
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