Monday, May 26, 2008

Priorities

Somebody said that the main thing is to keep the main thing the main thing! David put it like this: "Teach us to realize the brevity of life, so that we may grow in wisdom" (Ps 90:12 NLT).

Arthur Gordon, the author of “TOUCH OF WONDER” shared a story of himself, “When I was about 13 and my brother 10, our father promised to take us to the circus. But then at lunchtime there was a phone call--some urgent business that required his attention downtown--and we braced ourselves for disappointment. But then we heard him say, "No, I won't be able to come down. It's going to have to wait." He came back to the table and mother smiled, "The circus keeps coming back, you know.""I know," he said, "but childhood doesn't."

We need to put everything to halt so that we could take the time of evaluating what will be the priority for each day. No wonder people are filled with anxieties due to the many pressing demands of life. How should anyone for that matter begin to sort out the many intricate aspects of life? Where do you begin? I firmly believe it depends on where you are focusing the most of your effort and attention. It is very interesting to note that we make excuses for those that we do not want to do but do everything we can to make sure that we will not miss what we want to do. That is why, the saying, “If there’s a will, there’s a way” is a norm.

Time is an equal-opportunity employer. We all get 24 hours, 1,440 minutes, 86,400 seconds daily, and we must account for how we use them. Furthermore, we have been given 365 days in a year divided in 52 weeks. Time flies but actually time is constant and consistently ticking ever since it was given to us. It is people that do not know how to make the most of it. For example, if the 24 hour period is divided into three 8 hour cycle, it usually looks like this: 8 hours working on the job, 8 hours sleeping and left with 8 hours to spare. The question is this: how do we spend the spare 8 hours? Think about it carefully and honestly.

We have the quantity but how do we pursue quality is a very important consideration. It is not that we do not have time for everything we want to do but the application of time allotted to us is the culprit. When we finally appreciate that we were given ample time to use, then we will live excellently including me as well. No excuses!

Jesus Christ lived only for 33 ½ years yet the impact of what he did lasted for more than 2000 years and counting. He fulfilled what he was born to do and died completing his purpose and God’s plan, i.e. as the Saviour of humanity. He died on the cross for our sin. His focus and priority was to accomplish his assignment from heaven. The results are those who became faithful believers then, today and tomorrow.

In view of this, one would see that life is not about the length of time you will live but the fulfillment of life’s purpose and destiny while living. Thus, life without priority and direction is a useless life and must not live for the sake of existence only.

Matthew 6:33 provided an excellent perspective of what should be done first, “But seek first his kingdom and his righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well." (NIV) When we follow this scripture verse, prepare to see new things happening in your life. Breakthroughs will occur in all aspects of your life. Putting God, his kingdom and his righteousness first as a priority each day will provide you with the strength, inspiration and joy in living life to the fullest. What happened in the past is past. No one could rewind life nor fast forward it. Just continue to live as each new day comes with God before everything else and all things will be a breeze for the day. Try it and you’ll love it.

Let’s talk again!