Now comes the paradox: the best thing they could do for their families and friends was to put Jesus before them.  By following Jesus fully, they would one day bring his gospel to the families they loved and friends they left.  By serving him, they learned the good news which would one day serve them.  Their best gift to their horizontal relationships was to put their vertical relationship first: "seek first his kingdom and his righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well" (Matthew 6:33).

 The best thing I can do for Janet is to love Jesus first.  The best thing I can do for Ryan and Craig is to love Jesus first.  Then I have his love for them.  Then I can model his purpose for them and help them follow him.  The best thing I can do for our church family is to love Jesus first.  When I am right with God, I can be right with you.  When I put fishing for men ahead of every other priority and relationship, I serve those priorities and relationships.  So do you.

Helping people follow Jesus is the highest purpose of life, and God's will for your life.  And God's will is "good, acceptable and perfect" (Romans 12:1).  When we are in God's will, he meets all our needs according to his riches in glory through Christ Jesus (Philippians 4:19); his peace which passes all understanding will guard our hearts and minds in Christ Jesus (Philippians 4:7), and we can do all things through Christ who sustains and strengthens us (Philippians 4:13).  There is no better or safer place in all the world to be than in the will of God.

God made us, and he alone knows what most fulfills us.  He can do far more with our lives than we can.  When we commit ourselves to this purpose, he rewards and uses us for all eternity.  But only then.