First Things First

What are your priorities? Who comes first in your life? What do you spend your money on? A good look at your time and wallet will give you an honest answer. It may not be the answer you want, but it will be the one you need.

Why would anyone want to look at their priorities? Are you feeling tired? Burned out? Stressed? Overwhelmed? Then it would do you some good to slow down and look at your priorities. We all need to take a step back and look at our lives periodically to make sure we’re still heading in the direction God wants us to, but it becomes even more of a necessity when we find ourselves questioning our life decisions like the career we chose.

When we start to feel tired, burned out, stressed, and overwhelmed it’s typically because we are chasing after things we shouldn’t or we are doing all the work and not allowing God to have his rightful place in our lives. We tend to take on too much and then wonder why we are worn out. Our culture has led us to believe that the busier we are the better off we are. We think every day should be jam-packed with some sort of activity, whether work, play, or chores around the house. Stop and think, when was the last time you read a book or just sat outside? 

God wants us to enjoy life, but He didn’t create us to run on E all the time. If you find yourself running on an empty more than you’re running on a full tank it may be time to reevaluate your priorities. It doesn’t take much for them to get a little skewed and the next thing we know all the sirens are sounding, red lights are flashing, and we’re surrounded by negative emotions because the wrong priorities have become first in our lives. Even in the chaos if we keep the first things first we will notice God working in our lives. What do I mean by keeping the first things first? 

We seek God’s will. 

We live His truths and walk in His ways. 

We keep our eyes on Jesus. 

When we do these things our priorities will be right. We wake up each day thankful for another day instead of grumbling that another day is here. We notice a lil’ skip in our step. We become the light for others in their darkness. We see the good in each day. 

Jim Burns says, “The key is not to prioritize what's on your schedule but to schedule your priorities.” I agree with this statement wholeheartedly. Our lives are too short to trudge through our days with scowls on our faces and beating the melancholy drum. So, let’s put the first things first and find that our JOY really does come from the Lord. 

Take a moment to click the link and listen to First Things First by Consumed By Fire. 

“You will show me the path of life; in your presence is fullness of joy; at your right hand are pleasures forevermore.” Psalms 16:11