Priorities

Priorities

Like it or not, goals, time management, and to-do lists are an unavoidable part of life. How a person spends their time, money, mental, and physical energy reveals what they see as most important. What we deem as most important is what we will prioritize.

God has hard-wired us to for creativity and productivity. Unfortunately, we have limited resources like time, money, and energy. We cannot do all we want to do, nor can we do all we feel we need to do. This forces us to act based upon our prioroties whether we realize it or not.

This also results in great fear, anxiety, and stress. Many questions arise as a result: Are we doing the right thing? Do we have what it takes? Do we have enough resources to meet our perceived needs?   

In Luke 11:38-42, Jesus challenged the prevailing and still dominant view of priorities. When Jesus and his disciples visited Mary and Martha's house. The sisters had different priorities. Mary sat at Jesus feet and listened to his teaching, while Martha was busy working behind the scenes hosting and serving the group. Mary appeared to be lazy and avoiding service. Martha appeared to servant-hearted and productive.

Jesus's chilling words to Martha's concern over Mary's lack of service were, "Martha, Martha, you are anxious and troubled about many things, but one thing is necessary" (Luke 11:41-42).