First things first.
I love that saying. For me, balance is a reality but it isn't a constant. There will be times in my life where I'll have to focus a large percentage of my time and effort to achieve a specific goal. Does that mean I'm placing something in front of my recovery? I don't think so...especially when that goal results in my being a responsible, productive and contributing member of society.
IMO, where this reading talks about keeping our recovery a number one priority it simply means:
...we have to attend meetings, work the steps, call our sponsor, and be of service to God and others.
These are the things that help me to stay clean, and above all else, staying clean must come first. None of us do these things exactly alike, but when we do them, the results are what counts.