Success is determined not only by what we choose to do but also by what we choose not to do. Distractions siphon away time and energy from our top priorities.
In the Sermon on the Mount, the Savior warned us not to obsess over worldly concerns. “Take no thought for your life,” He said, “what ye shall eat, or what ye shall drink; nor yet for your body, what ye shall put on” (Matthew 6:25, Luke 12:22). He gave several reasons for this admonition:
- There is more to life than physical well-being. “Is not the life more than meat, and the body than raiment?” (Matthew 6:25, Luke 12:23).
- God knows what we need, and He will provide for our needs. (See Matthew 6:26, 28-32, Luke 12:24, 27-30.)
- We have very little control anyway. “Which of you by taking thought can add one cubit unto his stature?” (Matthew 6:27, Luke 12:25-26).
When Jesus delivered this sermon at the temple in Bountiful, He addressed this admonition specifically to the twelve disciples, and He reminded them of their core purpose: “Ye are they whom I have chosen to minister unto this people. Therefore I say unto you, take no thought…” (3 Nephi 13:25).
Of course we must dedicate some thought to eating, drinking, and clothing ourselves. But there is an important principle of prioritization at work here: If you put first things first, everything else will naturally fall into place. “Seek ye first the kingdom of God, and his righteousness” Jesus said; “and all these things shall be added unto you” (Matthew 6:33, Luke 12:31, 3 Nephi 13:33).
Alma and his colleagues applied this principle during their missionary service among the Zoramites. Mormon tells that after Alma prayed for them, “they did separate themselves one from another, taking no thought for themselves what they should eat, or what they should drink, or what they should put on” (Alma 31:37). Their singular focus on their divinely-appointed mission was rewarded:
And the Lord provided for them that they should hunger not, neither should they thirst; yea, and he also gave them strength, that they should suffer no manner of afflictions, save it were swallowed up in the joy of Christ.
Alma 31:38
Today, I will focus on my most important priorities. I will trust that God will help me complete other tasks and fulfill other needs as long as I dedicate my time and energy to the things that matter most.
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