In a world full of distractions and so many things demanding attention, Sister Stephanie L. Colvin, director of First-Year Experience at BYU-Idaho, invited students to slow down, focus and put God first in their lives.
It can be difficult with everything people have going on, she said. From full- or part-time jobs and cramming in homework assignments, to getting onto the dating scene and participating in intramural sports, students have lots to do. Despite a busy life, Sister Colvin said putting a relationship with God before all else will provide the strength to overcome the obstacles of life.
“We live in a time that is so busy and there are so many things competing for our attention,” Colvin said in an interview with BYU-Idaho Radio. “When we come up against challenges or business, really staying focused on putting that relationship first can help us get through whatever it is that we’re facing.”
Colvin said that when people put God first, all will be made right, and things that maybe they thought were important before, won’t be so important anymore.
“When we put God first, all other things fall into their proper place or drop out of our lives,” Colvin said in her devotional address, quoting President Ezra Taft Benson. “Our love of the Lord will govern the claims for our affection, the demands on our time, the interests we pursue, and the order of our priorities.”
Colvin offered several simple and easy ways students can put their relationship with God first in their lives, such as listening to a Church podcast while working out instead of music, making a greater effort to attend family home evenings on Mondays, and focusing on the messages of the devotional speakers each Tuesday instead of doing homework.
God can give people peace and guidance as they look to Him, and Colvin said she has seen the blessings of putting God first in her life.
“I’ve noticed in my own life, when I make time, when I put that first, I seem to be able to fit everything else in,” Colvin said. “I then have the blessing of peace and assurance that comes with first connecting with loving God with your heart, might, mind and strength.”
Colvin ended her devotional reminding listeners that, as they prioritize their relationship with God, they will grow and become more like Him.
“When life gets busy or feels overwhelming, and you are bombarded with many things pulling you away from loving God, turn to Him,” Colvin said. “Prioritize Him and spend time seeking Him. By putting first things first, you will become more like Him.”