Prioritizing

Earlier I posted my to-do/goal list for the day. Making lists like the one I shared with you really helps me start my day with a motive. It gives me something to focus on throughout my day to help me avoid those little distractions that pop up here and there.

My lists are prioritized as well as put in an order that I see fit for my day.

If I think that getting my cleaning done first will be beneficial to the rest of my day, I will plan out my list accordingly.

But, my list today was missing something.

I did this on purpose, though, for the purpose of today’s blog.

I left out my time for me to spend with the Lord.

This is what I usually place at the top of my list.

It is my number one priority and the only thing I see as a fitting way to start my day.

So my question is, is it your number one priority? Was it on the top of your list?

But I don’t have time for that every day, you might say.

Or I can get by without it on my list because I remember to do it.

Yes, you probably don’t have time for it everyday, and no you won’t just remember to do it, because the enemy wants you to forget.

And the world wants to fill your schedule with other things that seem way more critical.

But the truth is, there is nothing more important than building your relationship with God.

Nothing should come in the way with filling up your lines, faithfully.

That is where sacrifice comes into play.

I was reading from Philippians this afternoon and ran across a section where Paul writes about the value of knowing Christ, how to make that your goal, and how to press towards that goal.

Paul mentions his accomplishments, and talks about times where he was successful. But, he says he now "considers them worthless" (Philippians 3:7).

“Yes, everything else is worthless when compared to the infinite value of knowing Christ Jesus my Lord.” (Philippians 3:8).

To Paul, nothing he had ever done could ever out value his relationship with Christ. To him, knowing Christ was the most valuable thing he could do. He “discarded” everything and “counted it all as garbage” so that he could gain Christ.

“I want to know Christ and experience the mighty power that raised him from the dead. I want to suffer with him, sharing in his death, so that one way or another I will experience the resurrection from the dead!” (Philippians 3:10-11).

Don’t you fully want to know Christ in the way that Paul describes? Do his words not speak to you in a way that they are just able reach right into your heart and push you to do a little bit more to know a whole lot more about the one who saved you?

I want to know God this way and Paul explains how we can.

Through sacrifice.

Paul sacrificed it all, “discarded it as garbage” to know Christ!

He gave up everything to fill up fully on Christ.

When I read his words this morning, I was completely moved.

That is faith right there.

That is the longing we are to have for the Lord!

We should do whatever it takes to gain more wisdom and understanding of His great power.

The question is, what are you willing to sacrifice to gain this knowledge?

I say the sacrificing starts in our daily to-do lists.

Make it your number one priority, and let the rest follow.

You might have to cut a few things out of your day.

Things might get pushed down in the order of priority.

Sacrifice.

Make it your focus, your goal.

Paul writes “I press on to reach the end of the race and receive the heavenly prize for which God, through Christ Jesus, is calling us” (Philippians 3:14).

His goal was to know Christ, he did not let a single thing take his eye off of this “prize”, the prize of knowing Him!

And Paul is encouraging us to want to know Christ in this way too! We should see it as a prize.

No item on our to-do list, or hectic schedule should take our eye off of this goal.

So take a good look at your to-do list. Where can you add in your time for Christ today? What can you sacrifice?

Can you prioritize time for him?

Today, I sacrificed some time outside and watching one of my favorite tv shows.

It’s hard. I know. We want to make time for it all! But, we can’t, we just have to make time for what is most important.

Time spent with a purpose of learning more about God is important. It is what fills our lines!

Choose to keep your eye on the prize no matter what your day brings! Make it a choice! Focus in on it, and take it with you until the end of your race.

Prioritize your day in a way that allows God to come first, and everything else second.

Dear Lord,

Keep my eye on the prize today! Help me prioritize my day for you and not myself. Help me make the necessary sacrifices in my life in order to make more time for you. I want to gain more knowledge of you Lord! Fill me up and help me know you in a different way.

We love you!

Amen

Happy Monday everyone!

Love,

MKG

#Faith #LinesOfFaith #FillingUpFaithfully #Prioritizing