Priorities

This week has been crazy. I don't think I've been so busy in all my life! I've had a test, I've had a quiz, I've been working on two photography projects at once, I've had basketball practice, I've had meetings, homework, bible study, and between psychology and art history I've done more than 200 pages of reading. I'm sure I've forgotten to mention something; and somehow, I still managed to spend a little bit of time with friends.

It seems like for everything I had to do, there was something else I had to put aside. I learned a lot about myself this week. I found where my priorities lie. For some things, my priorities were solid and appropriate. Yet, at times I found myself questioning my choices. Did I really just put this above that? I've always been an A-B student. I expect that of myself. I try to make all A's, but if I make a B or even a C, it's not the end of the world. As long as I know that I tried my best, I am satisfied with whatever grade I get. But some things in life are more important than grades. My friends, for instance. If any of them has a need, or if I can help them in any way, I am going to drop whatever I'm doing and help them. Just spending time with them is important to me. I never want to be so busy that I "don't have time" for them.

I'm going to be real. I don't spend the time I should with God. Sometimes, I might only give Him five minutes of my entire day. That's not fair. He deserves so much more than that. God should be priority number one, one-hundred percent of the time. I've been trying to do better. This semester I have really pushed myself to be more aware of how I spend my time. Instead of getting in the shower first thing in the morning and letting my mind wander, I pray. I thank God for all of the things he has provided me with: food, a roof over my head, a bed to sleep in, my family, my friends, even my truck and the fact that I have gas in the tank. I ask God to search my heart and reveal any sin in my life. I ask for forgiveness for all of my sins and shortcomings. Then I pray for for my family and the things that they go through. I pray for my friends and the things that they are dealing with. I also pray for my professors. I then ask God to help me to do His will, to love and to serve people and to honor Him in all that I do. These are just some of the things I pray about in the morning. Starting off my day seeking God in prayer helps me to let go of the things I might be worried about and set my mind on the one who holds it all. I end my day in a similar fashion. No matter how late, I try to spend time in God's Word and in prayer. I take the time to tell you this because the things that I pray about reveal, (at least to me), where my priorities are.

Some people feel that there is not enough time in the day to get everything done. (As a college student, I feel that way a lot) Some people feel that time drags on and they can't wait to be done, or make it to the weekend. We all have the same 24-hour day. It's what you do with those 24 hours that matters. Your priorities will determine what gets done and what doesn't.

Where are your priorities? Are you putting the needs of others before your own? Are you caught up in the things of this world? I'm not judging anyone for the choices they make. I'm just trying to get you thinking. Besides, I mess up all the time and lose sight of what is truly important.

Think about it this way: Is God your number one priority?
He made you His.

He came down from heaven, was made flesh and blood. He didn't live extravagantly. In fact, he was treated quite poorly, terribly even. But he still loved EVERYONE. He willingly endured all of it and went to the cross so that you could be set free from sin, so that you could truly live.

What is He to you? That is a question only you can answer. For me, He is everything.

"If you have not chosen the Kingdom of God first, it will in the end make no difference what you have chosen instead.”  -William Law

"Love the Lord thy God with all thine heart, with all thy soul, and with all thy might." -Deuteronomy 6:5