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As I sat in the quiet of early morning, a conviction settled over me. In our fast-paced, entertainment-saturated world, how often do we truly put God first?

When my wife and I lived in California before returning to Kauai, we intentionally kept television out of our bedroom. This simple choice led us to earlier bedtimes and earlier mornings—and surprisingly, a deeper connection with God. It wasn't about the schedule itself, but where we placed our priorities.

The First Three Commandments

In our 52-week study of the catechism, Question #9 asks: "What does God require in the first, second, and third commandments?" The answer reveals a profound framework for our relationship with God:

* Know God as the one true and living God

* Avoid all idolatry

* Treat God's name with fear and reverence

These first three commandments all center on our relationship with God, while the remaining seven govern our relationships with others. But I've discovered these aren't just ancient rules—they're a diagnostic tool for my spiritual health.

Modern Idols in Disguise

When I spend hours scrolling through entertainment instead of in prayer, what does that reveal about my priorities? The "god of entertainment" competes with the one true God for my attention and affection. Other "gods" slip into our lives too—success, finances, self-sufficiency, even creativity.

True worship requires treating God's name—His character, His word, and His works—with genuine reverence. When I rush through prayer or Scripture because I stayed up too late watching shows, I'm not giving God the honor He deserves.

Breaking Free

Recently, I felt God convicting me to return to Him and remake my mornings. If I truly believe He is the one true and living God, shouldn't I trust that time with Him is more valuable than an extra hour of sleep? If His name is upon me as His child, shouldn't I live with purpose rather than emptiness?

Making this change isn't about trying harder—that approach always fails. Instead, we must look to Jesus:

* Jesus knew and confessed God as the only true God

* Jesus put the Father first in all things, constantly overturning idols

* Jesus showed complete reverence for God's name in how He lived

On the cross, Jesus took the punishment for our failure to keep these commandments. Our broken relationship with God was restored through His sacrifice. When Jesus cried, "My God, my God, why have you forsaken me?" He was experiencing the separation our sin deserved.

But three days later, God raised Jesus from the dead, proving He will never forsake us—even when we fail. He leads us toward a fuller life, saying, "You don't know what you're missing when you prioritize lesser things over Me."

Your Turn

What changes might God be calling you to make? Where have modern idols crept into your daily rhythms? Remember, don't just try harder—look to Jesus, who perfectly fulfilled these commandments and offers us grace to grow.

When we realign our priorities and put God first—whether through earlier mornings, intentional prayer, or mindful worship—what once felt like burden becomes joy. The table He invites us to is worth every sacrifice.

How are you honoring God in your daily rhythms? Share in the comments below.

This post is part of our 52-week study of the catechism. Join us next week as we continue exploring the Ten Commandments.

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