Priorities

I'm embarrassed. Our pastor is doing a series on the art of personal prayer. Today he talked some about how one blocker to prayer is when we have selfish priorities. How learning to pray kingdom prayers is one way to battle the selfishness we have. How can the desire for a new, beautiful kitchen occupy my thoughts as much or more as the hunger crisis in Ethiopia? I know that it is partly because I see my kitchen every day and I am bombarded by a society that says I will be happier and more liked if I have a new kitchen.

BUT... I KNOW the TRUTH. Kitchens won't make me happier. I know that the millions of people suffering around the world are so important- to me and more importantly to God. I know that people are needed to stand up and make the difference they can.

So my question is:
How can I focus more on what is truly important?
How can I find a balance between living life here in Aurora in the present and caring for the many hurting people in the world?
When is it appropriate to care about fixing up my kitchen? Is it ever?

I think one answer is what our pastor suggested today at church. Pray for the world more than praying for your own needs. Ask him to help you focus on what really matters. So, I'm going try this strategy. Maybe he will take the kitchen out of my focus and place his kingdom in my view.