Setting Priorities

 

“There is a time for everything, and a season for every activity…” Ecclesiastes 3:1

 

Someone once said, "You have time for that which is important to you."  These words always pierced my heart when my day goes by and I realize I have neglected my time with the LORD.  It is not about guilt or a religious act but a true understanding of the need to set my priorities in order.  Let’s think about it this way.  What if I said that these words always pierced my heart when I neglect my time with my children or my spouse or my family in general?  What if watching TV took place over cultivating my marriage?  What if social media or spending time with friends trumped over investing in my children?  What if making money was number one on my list over family time and special occasions? I would seem like one rotten tomato, wouldn’t I?  If I say I love my family, then they deserve my time and if I say I love God then He deserves for me to invest in Him as well. 

Not having the right balance can prove detrimental.  Although my life is probably as simple as it gets, I still need to set a schedule so that my every day is balanced [not neglecting one over the other].  I used to start my day with no agenda or goals.  My days may have been packed with various activities, yet I often felt little, or nothing was accomplished.  I would feel drained, emptiness, as if my life were not in order.  I realized I neglected what was essential - my relationship with God!  It’s ok to go out with friends, go to sporting events, spend time exercising and all that good stuff.  Listen, I enjoy vegging just as much as the next person.  I schedule a “doing absolutely nothing” day at least once a month and that is where I have my “me time.”  I’m doing an at home face mask, bubble bath and whatever makes me feel relaxed.  But with everything there must be balance.  If you are busy all week and weekend, you will have no rest.  And that is never good, especially if you work a full-time job outside of your home responsibilities.  Sometimes we need to take off our capes and learn to say “no” to some things. 

My advice to you is this – sit down with a calendar and pencil in everything you plan on doing this week as well as any upcoming events taking place for the month.  Take a good look at your calendar.  If all the activities you penciled in overwhelm you just by looking at them, then I believe it is safe to say you have too much on your plate.  Start to erase anything that is not necessary, can be put off for another time or that you simply do not have to do.  Make room on your calendar for some breathing space.  Create order in your life with the understanding that every day is not going to go as scheduled so that “breathing space” is going to come in handy.  Leave room for changes and schedule in those moments of “me time.” But, know this, even if you find time to breathe and neglect to be with God your day will still feel most unproductive.  My “me time”, my time of “doing absolutely nothing” always consists of time with God. You see, there is something about God’s presence that just brings peace where even if your weekend feels like it has gone with the blinking of the eyes, you feel well rested.  Do not let anything lord over your life where it will cause chaos and possible destruction to your home.  And above all, do not let anything come in between your much needed time with God.

“Times of refreshing will come from the presence of the LORD.”  Acts 3:20