Priorities

PRIORITIES OF LIFE - FOR WHAT OR FOR WHOM ARE YOU LIVING? WHAT OR WHOM DO YOU DEEM AS MOST IMPORTANT IN THIS LIFE? TO WHAT OR WHOM ARE YOU GIVING FIRST PLACE?

God recognizes that there is a time for everything, and for everything there is a time (Ecclesiastes 3:1-8). He has given us our days, moments, and hours to manage for Him and His glory (1 Corinthians 10:31). We must live, but not for ourselves. The things that we love, we will in those things choose to invest our time, energy, money, etc. We will make time for the things we love.

The thing about priorities is that all of the various slices of the pie have to be accomplished without neglect of any piece. Your workload cannot replace time spent with your family, nor your time with family encroach upon the time spent at church with other believers, nor can time given to the church’s extra activities take away from times set aside for leisure or relaxation. There must be a negotiation of our time and navigation of our time as well.

We are going to have to say, “no”, at some point, as we understand that, for example, work is eating into other priorities and limiting our ability to perform God’s will (Eccles. 9:9-10). We must have money to live, but are we living for money? For instance, the Lord’s day should remain a day given wholly for His worship while meeting with His people (Hebrews 10:24-25). Will there ever be exceptions? Yes, of course, but the rule is that Sunday is reserved for God and His Word and work. On the other hand, family time will override other activities that may arise. Again, we cannot be all things to all people at all times. Lord help us to organize our lives so we can perform each area of life to the greatest benefit of our children, spouses, church, workplace, health (mentally, physically, emotionally), without any neglect of God-given relationships or God-ordained establishments, all for His glory. God will never shortchange us if we will conclude to live our lives for His honor. He will provide the resources as we say, “what you desire, I will do.” Nothing will satisfy like time well-spent and centered upon God’s will (Matthew 6:33).

Ecclesiastes 12:13–14 Let us hear the conclusion of the whole matter:        
 Fear God, and keep his commandments: for this is the whole duty of man. For God shall bring every work into judgment, with every secret thing, whether it be good, or whether it be evil.