Priorities

I thought about changing the name of the blog from Today's Reading to Today's Thoughts - but I will leave it as it is.  Just be aware that some posts deal with devotional thoughts rather than actual readings.

For today, I read an interesting and eye-opening devotionals this morning.  You know the kind - one of those that just steps all over your toes!  It deals with Priorities.  Now, we all have priorities - I prioritize each day on an individual basis each morning.  I typically seem to have more to do than I have time to do, so I have to prioritize.  For example, Monday morning, when I began work, the system notification said there were 149 assignments to be graded. Also, in looking at the calendar for the day, I saw that I had to hold a virtual class that night from 7 until 8 PM.  Then I had to assist with a virtual class from 8:30 until 10:30 PM.  My thoughts - how in the world am I going to get all this done today?  So, I start prioritizing!

What's wrong with this picture?  We all know that in order to efficiently manage our time, we have to prioritize.  We all do it every day - with work, family, etc.  

I opened this devotional this morning and the opening verse was, indeed, eye opening:  "Now therefore, thus says the Lord of hosts, “[a]Consider your ways!"  Haggai 1:5  (NASB)

The devotional goes on to talk about "Priority Living."  Yes, I live by priorities -  but what are my priorities?  Are they based on what I consider important or are they based on what God considers important?  Is God my top priority on a daily basis?  The answer was depressing.

Some time back, I began attempting to spend an hour each morning in Bible reading and prayer.  Also, at least one hour each night.  But what happens when I get up and find I have more to do than I can get done that day?  I start trying to find "things" that I can cut from me schedule of course.  And, unfortunately, that is way too often to "borrow" time from my morning and evening Bible reading and prayer time.  

The devotional makes the following statement:  "Without intentionally living out God’s priorities, we default to reactionary living. Whatever comes our way then becomes our default for living."  I find that too many days, this becomes "my life" and "my priorities."  

This verse is included in the devotional, "Seek the Kingdom of God[a] above all else, and live righteously, and he will give you everything you need." Matthew 6:33 (NLT)  So, this was the "step on my toes" part for sure.  

I need to make God my first priority and he will provide all that is needed for me to accomplish all the other things that I need to accomplish.  This will be my anchor in defining my priorities from now on.  

What are your priorities?

** The devotional discussed here was from Wisdom Hunters, 9-20-13