Establish priorities and boundaries

Good morning everyone,

Our theme for this month: “A fresh start in a new year”

Our Bible verse for today: “There is an occasion for everything, and a time for every activity under heaven.” Ecclesiastes 3:1 (CSB)

Our thought for today: “Establish priorities and boundaries”

This morning, I want to return us to our thinking from yesterday regarding the Apostle John’s teaching in 3 John 2 about a “whole” life that is healthy in all the right ways. In that devotional we considered the fact that there are four essential elements which together make us whole people. Those elements are physical, mental, emotional, and spiritual. To be truly and fully healthy, we must be healthy in all four of those areas. New Years resolutions made and kept help us to achieve that.

However, not all resolutions are equally important and therefore not all goals should be allowed to carry the same weight. As Solomon taught in Ecclesiastes 3:1 (above), there is a proper time and place for everything. In other words, for our purposes, in addition to paying proper attention to resolutions we make and goals we set regarding our physical, mental, emotional, and spiritual health (or any pertaining to any other subject), we also need to get them in the right order. We need proper balance.

By way of example, I will tell you my own priorities in life. Nothing in my life is more important than my relationship with God. Therefore, that’s the first thing I tend to every day. God gets the first and best of my time. First thing in the morning, before anything else can happen to get in the way, I spend time with God in prayer and Bible study.

My second priority in life is my family. I think about them, I consider their needs, I determine what things I will do that day to ensure they are getting an appropriate amount of my time and attention. Third is myself. I make sure I have a plan for the day to take proper care of myself. That includes eating right, exercising, leisure, and sufficient sleep (If you don’t take proper care of yourself then you won’t be around to take care of others. Or, at least, your capacity to do so will be diminished.)

Then, once I have assured myself that those three most important priorities are properly cared for, I turn my attention to my work. In my case, that’s my church (Yes, my dear church members, church is only number four on the list. Sorry.)

It’s essential that we have proper priorities established in life. Otherwise, we will get off track. We will be victimized by what is often called “The tyranny of the urgent.” I’m talking about things like the ringing telephone that pulls us away from an important conversation with our spouse or children. My friend, that conversation is more important than the ringing telephone. Ignore the telephone. Let it go to voicemail. Stick with the conversation.

I think you get the point but, how do we do this? How do we set and maintain appropriate boundaries that protect our most important priorities? That will be the subject of tomorrow’s devotional.

God bless,
Pastor Jim

(If you like what you are reading in these daily devotionals, and if you would like more content from Oak Hill Baptist Church, join us on Sundays at 10:00, in-person if you are nearby or, if you are geographically distant or if you just can’t make it, online at www.YouTube.com/@oakhillbaptistcrossville

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