I stare at the lists scribbled on the dry-erase board over my desk. Things need completing. Words need writing. Numbers and dates need remembering.
Then I step over stray socks and glance across the kitchen at the soggy cereal left in the bowls from breakfast. Little faces round the corner, feet running loudly to match the voices.
And I feel the need to simply breathe, slow and purposefully. Breathe. I remind my spirit as it faces the temptation to crumble under the weight of today’s list, “Lord, You know what You have for me to do in this day. I have the perfect amount of time to get it all done. In love.”
Yet too often we add things to our “must-happen” list that He never intended. We spend precious minutes on stuff that doesn’t deserve our devotion. It’s become cliché but I continually need reminding. In our culture we often stray from the Lord’s plan for our moments simply because we engage too much and we forget priorities. I forget.
I spent time in the short book of Haggai this week. It’s been years since I gleaned from his words. But one phrase kept jumping off the pages, “Consider your ways.” (Haggai 1:5, 7) Consider your ways.
With all the tugging from the world I have to take the time to consider my ways. A time to reassess my priorities. We all do.
Love God…with the first-fruits of my time, money, and thoughts.
Love my family…by looking at their hearts and serving in the overflow of Him.
Love the world…by following His lead and moving in the gifts He’s given.
Everything falls into one of those three basic categories. But if I miss the love, I miss it all. If I cross everything off the list but didn’t love through the tasks then I forfeit His blessing. (1 Corinthians 13:1-3)
There comes a time to get before Him and consider our ways. We have time to do all He ordained for us to do. We have time to love those He places before us today.
Fill me, Lord…
When you “consider your ways”, how does your own list line up with the plans He has for your today?
Practically speaking, how do you keep your priorities straight?
I find that I am much more productive when I am intentional about planning my day before it begins. Falling into a big list as the day unfolds always seems to leave those check boxes empty.
Planning is key. I’m learning that I do best when I plan the night before. Blessings, Kim.
Consider your ways. Yup. I need to unplug from social media except where it’s beneficial. Here’s to a much, much shorter ‘following’ list, and here’s to less worry about my lists and more trust in what he has ordained.
Many are the plans in the mind of a man,
but it is the purpose of the LORD that will stand. Prov. 19:21
Girlfriend, I hear you on the social media. If I’m not purposeful when I get on then I get lost in the mix. Praying wisdom for us both.
I was just praying about this very thing this morning, asking the Lord direct my steps this day and help me not to get distracted by things that are not important. His plans are always better than ours (love that Prov 19:21 verse, Lauren!) and if we abide in Him and allow His Spirit to empower and direct us, we will have time to do what He has called us to do! He is so good to us!
Yes. His plans are always best. Thanks for sharing, Wilson. Praying we hear Him and then boldly obey with our moments.
Oh God is loud and clear. I spent time in prayer and mediation over His plan for my day and week. We have one of …those… weeks. You know the week. I prayed He eliminate my desire to do those things He doesn’t have for me, for us. We as a homeschool approach Him asking this same thing. I seek my children’s accountability for my attitude and purpose in our week. The Holy Spirit…that is how I plan to accomplish those things He wants. I rested in knowing I have enough time and resources to do those things which He has ordained. Eternal impact first, then temporal, worldly things later. This is my ordering this week. People, love, and stuff next. Thanks Lara. Thank you God for loving me so much for another reminder through Lara. Happy Day!
He’s so tender to lead us. Thanks for those thoughts, Jolene. I pray His blessings on that sweet family of yours.
I rememer what Jesus says our priorities are. There are only two: Love God with every fiber of your being and love your neighbour as yourself. 🙂
P.S. I’m new to your blog and really enjoying it!
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