Making Our Priorities A Reality

Do you feel like a failure when it comes to keeping your priorities straight...everyday...

consistently. You are not alone!

I have been the queen of making up schedules only to falter within the first week of implementing them. I stink at schedules. I rationalize that I just cannot and should not be scheduled. Hmmm...what does the bible say about this?

"Therefore be careful how you walk, not as unwise but as wise, making the most of your time for the days are evil..." Ephesians 5:15,16 (I think I have a little club by this name...)

"She watches over the affairs of her household and does not eat the bread of idleness." Proverbs 31:27

So, our time, and what we do with it, is pretty important, and 24 hours is all we get! Speaking of 24 hours, you absolutely must order this CD right now:

It's $10 and it comes with worksheets (including priority planning sheets with thorough suggestions). Stop reading...purchase! (No, I'm not getting any money from it.) A wise Titus 2 woman sent it to me recently and it is good.

Okay, where were we. Oh yes, actually taking our priorities from "in theory" to reality. That's tough, but it is not impossible.

"I Can Do All Things Through Christ Who Strengthens Me" Philippians 4:13

If we truly believe that God commands us to use our time wisely, we must persevere in our time management. Scheduling our time and keeping our priorities straight will keep us focused, sane, disciplined, and obedient. But where do we begin? Let's start with scripture!

(I personally felt led to Titus 2:4,5)

My Titus 2:4,5 Priority List

Love my husband (this is first)

Love my children

Be sensible (show wisdom, have common sense, be practical, functional and aware - no checking out!)

Be pure/discreet

Be a worker at home

Be kind

Be subject to my husband

The two things I noticed right off the bat were A.) my husband must come before my children or my housework, and B.) It all comes back around to how I relate with/treat my husband! Before I can even move on to anything else, I need to make him a priority. And let's be honest, our men really don't require that much, yet many of us still put the poor fellows on the back burner. A little physical attention and a good dinner and their pretty much good to go!

Okay, before you say anything, yes, God ultimately comes first ("Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind." Matthew 22:36-38). The fact is, without putting God first, we really can't do anything else...well, that is. However, part of putting God first is obeying His order of things; following His ways, not ours.

Ooh, that's hard too (darn losing self!).

Before I continue on and on (which I could easily do - hello, that's why I do series!) let's take some time to work on our priorities. Since you ordered the above CD (what? You haven't done that yet? What are you waiting for?!) don't worry if you have any trouble with this task, you can come back to it or revise it later. I will give you a little hint though on what Susan (the speaker on the CD) recommends working on when it come to prioritizing (you can get the whole list on the CD):

Essential Must Do's (Essential to Godly, healthy (spiritually and physically) human existence)

Example: Frequent time in personal, intimate fellowship with God through prayer and quality time in His Word, sharing intimate thoughts with spouse and children regarding God and the work He is doing in your lives, world, in general, training children in cheerful, Godly obedience, Adequate night sleep, etc.

Very Important Should Do's (Very important for God-pleasing human existence, dependent upon regular performance of essentials)

Example: Teaching your children practical skills necessary for God-honoring, regular assembling together with other believers for corporate worship and spiritual encouragement, responsible living, maintaining a consistently clean and orderly atmosphere in your home, hospitality, etc.

Could Do's (Non-essential in most cases, but can be edifying and God-honoring if time remains)

Example: Lessons for children (music, art, etc.), Group bible studies, family excursions several times a year, etc.

Would Like To Do's (Activities are fun, relaxing, enjoyable, exciting, etc. but really are unnecessary for God-honoring living)

Example: Participating in your favorite hobby, belonging to clubs or organizations, etc.

I think that's enough for today.

Maybe next week's MMM could be us linking up with our priorities? What do you think?

Enjoying this series? Subscribe here!