Check Your
Vitals
Most people look at the end of the year for exactly what it is, the end of a specified, measurable period of time. However, I look at the end as a beginning. In worldly terms, I am doing nothing more than planning to make New Year’s resolutions, but to my more Spirit-led side, I am taking a time of reflection to ensure that I am on track in all things that I do, whether it be for life, family, or God.
More than making time for new things or looking at what I’ve been busily accomplishing, I believe that prioritizing is also about evaluating the quality of the things I do. It’s not always about what we add or take away, sometimes it’s about making sure what we do is done right. Instead of reading more chapters of the Bible everyday, why don’t we make sure we understand and apply a shorter passage? Or instead of going to church more, why don’t we worship more, meet more people, and take more time for the things of God while we’re there? Can we not give more uninterrupted time to our family while we’re at home instead of trying to schedule our day to its fullest?
The poem, The Paradox of Time (below), is why I feel the need for prioritizing my actions and the quality of my efforts. If it lacked truth, it would be just another filler to take up space. However, it speaks my reality so I must take it into consideration.
Now, I’m not saying create a to-do list, file the mounds of paperwork on your desk, pay your unpaid bills, or finish off the rest of the Thanksgiving pie. I’m talking about the most ground-shaking type of prioritizing – creating, maintaining, enhancing, and furthering your relationship with the Almighty God. As Christians, we must continually pursue God and His characteristics. Like I said last time, we must put what we do at church to shame. We, as the body of Christ, must repent of our sins, humble ourselves before the throne of the Most High, and desire to do His will. Jesus said it best: "…Our Father in heaven, hallowed be your name, your kingdom come, your will be done on earth as it is in heaven.” (Matthew 6:9-10 NIV)
Now, I know that setting some spiritual New Year’s resolutions may seem like a small step to take, but it’s the first step to possibly changing a generation, a lineage, a community, or a nation. Once you understand and apply the principle of prioritizing your spiritual life, it might actually become a habit, one instituted daily instead of yearly that will flow into other areas of your life. I urge you to let God work. Let the Master Craftsman and Potter mold and make you into His image and likeness. Inherit His characteristics, principles, and priorities. Follow after the things of God. Decide, join the chase, and get N-PURSUIT.
THE PARADOX OF TIME
The paradox of time in history is that we:
Have taller buildings, but shorter tempers;
Wider freeways, but narrower viewpoints;
We spend more, but have less;
We buy more, but enjoy it less.
We have bigger houses and smaller families;
Bigger churches and smaller congregations;
A multitude of prayers, but very little faith;
A blessed life, but lack of gratitude;
A loving God for our blemished hearts.
We have more conveniences, but less time.
We have more degrees, but less sense;
More knowledge, but less judgment;
More experts, but more problems;
More medicine, but less wellness.
We have multiplied our possessions, but reduced our values.
We talk too much, love too seldom, and hate too often.
We’ve learned how to make a living, but not a life.
We’ve added years to our life, not life to our years.
We’ve been all the way to the moon and back, but
we have trouble crossing the street to meet a
new neighbor.
We’ve conquered outer space,
but not inner space.
We’ve cleaned up the air,
but polluted the soul.
We’ve split the atom,
but not our prejudice.
We have higher incomes,
but lower morals.
We’ve become long on quantity,
but short on quality.
These are times of tall men,
and short character;
Steep profits, and shallow relationships;
More leisure, but less fun;
More kinds of food, but less nutrition.
These are the days to two incomes,
but more divorce;
Of fancier houses,
but broken homes.
Author: Jo Elaine Hooper
Issue: Winter 2006
Scripture References:
Matthew 6:9-10
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