Thursday, September 23, 2010

Priorities

Trust in the LORD with all your heart and do not depend on your own understanding (Proverbs 3:5).

As you live each day, you are faced with constant decisions. What should you wear? What should you eat? How should you react to an angry customer or family member? How should you spend your money? What should you do with your free time?

We are all creatures of habit. Each of us has favorite styles and colors that influence how we dress. Each of us gravitates towards certain foods, despite our intentions to stick with a balanced and nutritious diet. Each of us has a preferred way of dealing with problem people—some lean towards using a delicate touch, while others tend to steamroller their way through every confrontation. Each of us treats money differently—some see it as a limited resource to be managed carefully, while others use it as a way to escape the pressures of life by having fun. Some of us use leisure time to get projects done; others let the moments slip away by just relaxing.

But what shapes your habits? What influences your decisions? A desire for constant fun will make some people jump from one job to another as soon as they get bored. A desire for personal recognition will make some people put in long hours at the office, hoping to be promoted. A desire for intimacy leads some people to have sex early in a relationship instead of waiting until marriage. A desire for independence often results in marriage partners heading to divorce court.

Your decisions reveal what’s most important in your life. People who dress provocatively want to be noticed and appreciated for their looks. People who get into frequent arguments believe that they know what’s best and should be listened to.

But how much does your relationship with Jesus affect your decisions? If He is important to you, do you pray for His guidance before settling on a course of action? If you think of Jesus as your Lord and Master, do you make sure that your decisions reflect His priorities? Jesus viewed money as a tool to support church work and care for the needy—do you? Jesus viewed time as a limited resource that was to be used for showing love to others—do you feel the same way? Jesus believed that nothing was more important than honoring God by submitting to His authority—do you agree? What do your decisions say about your priorities?

Blog Top Sites
Blog Directory & Search engine
Blog Directory