April 7, 2016

Choose Your Priorities

3 There is a time for everything,
and a season for every activity under the heavens:

2 a time to be born and a time to die,
a time to plant and a time to uproot,
3 a time to kill and a time to heal,
a time to tear down and a time to build,
4 a time to weep and a time to laugh,
a time to mourn and a time to dance,
5 a time to scatter stones and a time to gather them,
a time to embrace and a time to refrain from embracing,
6 a time to search and a time to give up,
a time to keep and a time to throw away,
7 a time to tear and a time to mend,
a time to be silent and a time to speak,
8 a time to love and a time to hate,
a time for war and a time for peace.

 -- Ecclesiastes 3:3-8

We all have the same amount of time. Twenty-four hours in a day. Seven days in a week. Twelve months in a year. So why is it some people seem to have so much more time than others?

Time management? Maybe it’s not so much about time management as it is about priorities.

There are certain things we must do each day. Eat. Sleep. Work. Tend to children or parents. There are tasks that pile up if we’re not careful, like laundry and dishes and yard work. We can keep really busy being busy with the tasks of life.

And, in the end, what does it all matter?

I’m not suggesting chunk it all aside for a life of nothing. We must take care of the basics. But what happens when the basics interfere with the life we are called to lead?

We’re back to priorities. What is truly important? To me, spending time with God each day is like the breath of life in my body. I need it. I need Him. I can’t understand how so many people don’t have “time” to talk with God, to study the Bible, to thank Him for so many blessings each day.

That starts things off with my priorities in order. What next? People. It takes seconds to be kind. Open a door. Share a smile. Say “thank you.” Or take a few minutes and call someone who is hurting. Visit someone who is lonely. Give the gift of yourself. You’re the one who will be rewarded.

We all have the same amount of time each day. Use it to further God’s kingdom through your words and actions. Let God, then people, be your priorities and you’ll make a difference for eternity.