What is Important – Devotion 126

What do you consider important today?  I don’t know about you, but when I get up, I think through my day.  What do I need to get done, what is a requirement, and what things can wait?  Lists are often helpful to me because I can see all the different items that are vying for my time.  Since time is limited and there is usually more to do than I can accomplish, it is easier if I can prioritize.  Ideally, to get the list done would be fantastic.  But since that rarely happens, it is better just to see what is most important.

How do you pick what should go to the top of your list?  I usually go by deadlines.  If something is due today, that goes to the top of the list.  When someone asks me to help with something, I always remind them they need to give me a deadline or it will stay on my list indefinitely.  Deadlines keep me focused and help to get that work done.  And there is some satisfaction to marking things complete.  There is a sense of relief to see the list filled with accomplishments rather than demands.  

It seems the problem is that we don’t often plan what should be most important on our list.  If my system just requires me to take care of things that are most demanding, when do I spend time for those things which are really important but not as demanding?  When do I take time for my family or for rest?  When do I spend time exercising and working on my fitness?  We often push those things aside.  When do I spend time looking for opportunities to serve and to reach out to others?  When do I find time to pray and study and focus on being the disciple God has called me to be?  Since those things are not always the most demanding, they can get pushed to the bottom of the list.  Yet these things are what makes real life.  These things are often the most important for us mentally, physically, and spiritually.  We neglect the most important for the most demanding.  Today, maybe take a look at your list and figure out what is most important rather than what is most demanding.  What is God calling you to do today?  Today’s focus scripture reminds me that loving others is most important.  So I’m going to work on that.

Focus Scripture:

Galatians 5:14

¹⁴ For the whole law is summed up in a single commandment, “You shall love your neighbor as yourself.” 

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