Internet Cafe Question - Priorities

Internet Cafe


Name what you think should be your first 5 priorities in life? Then order those priorities the way they actually are at present in your own life. Do they match up? Why or why not? If needed, what is one thing that you can do today that will help your two lists match up?

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The first thing this question brings to my mind is Matthew 22:37-40: Jesus replied: " 'Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind.' This is the first and greatest commandment. And the second is like it: 'Love your neighbor as yourself.' All the Law and the Prophets hang on these two commandments." Knowing this I have to put these as top priority in my life, then as it says, if I do that everything else will fall into it's proper place. So as I considered this, here is what came to mind:

1. God:

Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind and with all your strength. (Mark 12:30)

Trust in the LORD with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding; (Proverbs 3:5)

I can say that I certainly strive to make these my first priority in life, but have to admit that I need more practice! Sometimes I put myself, my wants, my desires, out in front of what God may want for me. Sometimes I don't even want to ask Him what He thinks cause I might not like the answer. Then there are the times when He just doesn't move fast enough for my satisfaction and I feel it is necessary to get the ball rolling. Or I think I can do it myself, just like a little child who refuses to allow her father to help her with some tasks that are so clearly beyond her. Yes I have to admit that trust doesn't come easy to me and not trusting Him reveals a lack of love for Him. Ouch. I am so thankful that He is a patient and loving Father.

2. Others:

Treat other people as I would want to be treated. Yes that is one of my top priorites. Oh dear how I fail at this. It's easy when other people see things my way, and when they let me be in front, and when they are kind to me, but when someone has offended me in some way this becomes a serious challange. I am very thankful that God has brought forth some fruit in me in this area. I'm still a work in progress but there has been visible growth over the years.

3. Me:

While He does not want me to put myself before Him or before others, He does want me to have a right view of myself. I have a tendency to either elevate myself to high in my own opinion or too low. Neither is right so I must ask Him to give me His view of me to keep me in line.

4. Material Things:

All things come from the hand of God and He wants us to enjoy everything He gives. I think most of the time I keep this one at the bottom of the list but I still have to guard myself against the temtation to move it closer to the top.

I can't think of a 5th priority that doesn't already fit into one already mentioned.