pri-or-i-ty (noun) 1. Precedence by order of importance 2. An established right to precedence 3. Something
deserving prior attention (American Heritage Dictionary)
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The tsunamis of life
force us to evaluate - or re-evaluate as the case may be - our priorities. What
matters the most to us? Where do we spend our time, our money, our efforts?
What steals the most energy? The old addage that the squeaky wheel gets
the grease is ever true - the tyranny of the urgent. And yet, where do those
‘wheels’ fit in the big picture of our lives? Are they done with a Godward
purpose? Most importantly, do they match up with what we say is most
important to us?
It has been said that -
despite our words - the proof of our priorities is found in our checkbook and
on our calendar. Ouch.
I had a conversation this
week with an executive of a major corporation about priorities. He is highly respected and considered to
be one of those people who has ‘three feet on the ground’ ….solid….trustworthy…unruffled
by what I call corporate craziness and not impressed with money or position.
Unlike many who receive a new title and promotion, he doesn’t buy a bigger
house or more expensive car. To
the contrary, he has lived in the same house he bought 17 years ago when he was
making $40K a year; he has never driven anything but the dependable Toyota
Corola and has no plan to change. His list of priorities is taped onto the bathroom
mirror so he is reminded of them every morning while he is shaving.
Once
he’s at the office, he ‘brings it’ 110% but at the end of the day, it’s just a
job. His top priority is his family.
He comes in early so he can leave early to spend time with them. He turns off
his cell phone and doesn’t check emails or do any work-related tasks until the
kids are in bed…what an example.
That
conversation caused me to take a look at my own priorities. I found that
thinking about them is far easier than listing them and holding myself
accountable to them.
The
Old Testament prophet Haggai wrote in the 1st chapter “Give careful thought to your ways. You have
planted much, but harvested little; you eat but never have enough; you drink
but never have your fill. You put on clothes but are not warm; you earn wages
only to put them in a purse with holes in it.”
That
conjures up an image of the hamster on the wheel going nowhere fast as days fade
into years with no do-overs.
After
reading the words from the prophet, I had to go back to the first paragraph of
this post and ask myself the same questions. My answers will determine, not
only what the list on my bathroom mirror will say, but how I live out that
list. In short, will my walk and my talk align? Will I live my priorities in a way that is honoring to God and
beneficial to those I love the most?
Thinking
must happen. I, too, must must give careful thought to my ways. I do not wish to be like the hamster.
Copyright
2013
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