People think that establishing priorities is about ranking things in order of importance. But it is more than that. We do not have unlimited time and energy. So, establishing priorities enables us to say “no” to things which might be good yet not truly important. Without proper priorities, one inevitably will pursue that which is nice while downplaying that which is needed.

Throughout Scripture believers are urged to prioritize. It is the heart of the First Commandment: “You shall have no other gods before me” (Exodus 20:3). Jesus calls for prioritization when He says, “Seek first his kingdom and his righteousness” (Matthew 6:33). Good news: followers of Christ maintain proper priorities. Even better news: followers of Christ receive His forgiveness for all the times their priorities have been improper.

The word “Tenebrae” means “darkness” and refers to a worship service in which the progressive extinguishing of candles represent the approaching death of Christ. The Tenebrae service is one prolonged meditation of the suffering of Christ. The service is divided into seven chief parts. At the end of each part, the sanctuary will become darker. At the end of the service, the church will be very dark.