Priorities

Last night our high school life group began a study on biblical priorities. While I was aware that some of my personal priorities were not exactly in line with what they should be, this was an eye-opening illustration of God's plan for us and how that is best achieved when we align ourselves with Him.

Soo...here are 6 signs that appear when your priorities are a bit off-center.

1. Busy-ness. When time becomes your enemy, you rush from one activity to the next under the guise of being productive, yet producing no fruit. You race from one stop light to the next, always watching the clock. You are often late or out of breath when you get there.

2. Emotional stress. I believe #1 leads to #2. When you are pushed to the limit and overwhelmed by the lifestyle you have created, it is more likely you will fly off the handle by things that normally wouldn't cause you to bat an eye. Intimacy with friends is diminished or non-existant.

3. Financial debt. Bingo. Jesus spent more time talking about money than both heaven and hell combined. And it's not because Jesus wants your money or the church wants your money. It's because HE knew that people cannot serve two masters-and if money is at the center of your life and controls your every thought and action, there is no room left for the real riches HE wishes to bestow. Give the first fruits because it ALL belongs to God. If you "can't" give, there is a defect in your financial priorities.

4. Low-grade, nagging guilt. Do you feel down about yourself and your situation? Chances are, it's a result of one of the previous 3. In our busyness we come home exhausted, lay on the couch and eat junk food, or pick up worthless fast food at the drive-thru. And then we feel bad, look bad, etc. If you are stressed you may seek relief in sinful behavior, only to then put on a blanket of guilt. Or you spend money you don't have, deepening the debt...and guilt and so on.

5. Prayerlessness. If you experience 1-4, is there time or room left for prayer? Do you blame Him for your situation and therefore cut off the ties of communication with the One who seeks to turn your life around? You should reserve the most productive time or most peaceful time of the day to talk with the Big Guy. If you start your day off in the word, it will change your perspective.

6. Escapism behavior. Do you binge on junk food for a quick fix only to return to the fridge 20 minutes later for something else? Do you spend hours of your life watching mindless tv shows and when the night is gone or your weekend is wasted wonder where the time went? Are you an impulse buyer? Do you feel so bad about your financial situation that the only way to ease the tension is by buying something you don't really need on credit? It makes no sense, and yet, I am guilty.

I have made many changes over the past few years in my lifestyle and I now see that more are on the way. It's not that God wants to ruin your fun or take your money, it's that he wants to reward you. And the greatest rewards come when your life takes the form of His son's.