What is priority?
Priority in nothing but definition of our objectives in a clear and concise manner in order of importance or urgency.
I. Why do we need to prioritize?
Do we really need to prioritize our life? (Matthew 6:26) Behold the fowls of the air: for they sow not, neither do they reap, nor gather into barns; yet your heavenly Father feedeth them. Are ye not much better than they? (Psalms 104:27) These wait all upon thee; that thou mayest give them their meat in due season.
He was Europe’s 350-pound wrestling champ a little over two generations ago. His name was Yussif, but people called him the Terrible Turk because of his massive size and awesome strength. After he won the championship in Europe, he sailed to the United States to contend with U.S champion – Strangler Lewis – a much smaller man who weighed just over 200 pounds. In the ring, it wasn’t long before Yussif flipped Lewis over on the mat and pinned him. After winning the championship, the Terrible Turk demanded that every bit of his $5,000 prize money be given to him in gold. After he wrapped the championship belt around his vast, equator-like middle, he stuffed the gold into the belt and boarded the next ship back to Europe. He had not only captured America’s glory, but he possessed her gold as well. He had won it all. Yussif set sail on the SS Bourgogne. Halfway across the Atlantic, a storm struck and the ship began to sink. The Terrible Turk went boldly over the side with his gold still strapped around his body. The added weight was too much, even for the heavyweight champion, and he sank like an anvil before crew members could get him into a lifeboat. He was never seen again. We hear stories like this – a true story – and think, “How on earth could anyone be so foolish?” But, the truth of the matter is, we all tend to grasp the things of this world and hold onto them even while we’re sinking. The story of Yussif the Terrible Turk shows us the tragic consequences that can overwhelm us when we lose our perspective and our priorities.
We have different priorities at different stages of our life and unless we can set our priorities in order of urgency and religiously adhere to it one is bound to fail in life. “Success is only another form of failure if we forget what our priorities should be (Harry Lloyds, English Actor).
“The older I get the more wisdom I find in the ancient rule of taking first things first. A process which often reduces the most complex human problem to a manageable proportion”.
II. How to priorities?
There can be no pre-defined set of formulas on how to determine your priorities. However, the key is not to prioritize what's on your schedule, but to schedule your priorities. Decide what you want, decide what you are willing to exchange for it. Then establish your priorities and go to work.
Now the question what comes first, the compass or the clock? Before one can truly manage time (the clock), it is important to know where you are going, what your priorities and goals are, in which direction you are headed (the compass). Where you are headed is more important than how fast you are going. Rather than always focusing on what's urgent, learn to focus on what is really important. A major part of successful living lies in the ability to put first things first. Indeed, the reason most major goals are not achieved is that we spend our time doing second things first. Don't dwell on what went wrong. Instead, focus on what to do next. Spend your energies on moving forward toward finding the answer.
Getting in touch with one’s true self must be one’s first priority. And one can be true to himself only if his conscience priorities are in line with God’s will. (1 Corinthians 10:31) says so whether you eat or drink, or whatever you do, do everything for the glory of God. God calls out to us, “Let go of the things of this world and you will float, you will rise, you will live.” But if we fail to recognize that this world is not our ultimate destination, then we will never be able to risk letting go of the things this world prizes. We will never be able to handle the pressures of this life. Without clarity of purpose and a proper sense of priorities, our lives will be shaped by the pressures around us rather than by a divine call. Our first priority is to love God with all of our hearts, souls, minds, and strength (Mark 12:30 Love the Lord your God with all your heart, with all your soul, with all your mind, and with all your strength). That is the first and greatest commandment. Whenever your priorities are out of order, you will be placing something else above God and that is idolatry. When you have God at the forefront of your life, it is much easier to put everything else in place.
Priority in nothing but definition of our objectives in a clear and concise manner in order of importance or urgency.
I. Why do we need to prioritize?
Do we really need to prioritize our life? (Matthew 6:26) Behold the fowls of the air: for they sow not, neither do they reap, nor gather into barns; yet your heavenly Father feedeth them. Are ye not much better than they? (Psalms 104:27) These wait all upon thee; that thou mayest give them their meat in due season.
We have different priorities at different stages of our life and unless we can set our priorities in order of urgency and religiously adhere to it one is bound to fail in life. “Success is only another form of failure if we forget what our priorities should be (Harry Lloyds, English Actor).
“The older I get the more wisdom I find in the ancient rule of taking first things first. A process which often reduces the most complex human problem to a manageable proportion”.
II. How to priorities?
There can be no pre-defined set of formulas on how to determine your priorities. However, the key is not to prioritize what's on your schedule, but to schedule your priorities. Decide what you want, decide what you are willing to exchange for it. Then establish your priorities and go to work.Now the question what comes first, the compass or the clock? Before one can truly manage time (the clock), it is important to know where you are going, what your priorities and goals are, in which direction you are headed (the compass). Where you are headed is more important than how fast you are going. Rather than always focusing on what's urgent, learn to focus on what is really important. A major part of successful living lies in the ability to put first things first. Indeed, the reason most major goals are not achieved is that we spend our time doing second things first. Don't dwell on what went wrong. Instead, focus on what to do next. Spend your energies on moving forward toward finding the answer.
Getting in touch with one’s true self must be one’s first priority. And one can be true to himself only if his conscience priorities are in line with God’s will. (1 Corinthians 10:31) says so whether you eat or drink, or whatever you do, do everything for the glory of God. God calls out to us, “Let go of the things of this world and you will float, you will rise, you will live.” But if we fail to recognize that this world is not our ultimate destination, then we will never be able to risk letting go of the things this world prizes. We will never be able to handle the pressures of this life. Without clarity of purpose and a proper sense of priorities, our lives will be shaped by the pressures around us rather than by a divine call. Our first priority is to love God with all of our hearts, souls, minds, and strength (Mark 12:30 Love the Lord your God with all your heart, with all your soul, with all your mind, and with all your strength). That is the first and greatest commandment. Whenever your priorities are out of order, you will be placing something else above God and that is idolatry. When you have God at the forefront of your life, it is much easier to put everything else in place.
