It’s easy to list off what we value and what we believe, but would our schedules and activities reflect those things? Actions speak louder than words, so what are yours saying about you?
“Turn my eyes away from worthless things; preserve my life according to your word.” (Psalm 119:37)
Ask anyone who reads my blog or has even a passing acquaintance with me and they’ll say my family and faith are the most important things to me. Ask me and I’ll say the same.
But if you were to look at my daily schedule – or even more horrifying, use an app like Toggl to track how I spend my time – the story would be a bit different.
While in my heart, caring for my family and growing my faith are my biggest values, my days and hours are spent with a focus on other things.
Hours spent working, reading, on social media, answering emails, watching YouTube, and exercising. Except for homeschooling and my regular Bible study group, my schedule is focused on pretty much everything except the things I value most.
These things aren’t bad in and of themselves, but the proportion of my time that goes to them over the things that exemplify my values and my beliefs would make anyone question the assertion that family and faith are number one.
How about you? Where does your focus fall? Are you struggling to keep your eye on your values and off the worthless things that are always grabbing at our attention?
Our values need to be reflected in our actions
Social media, “me time,” and work are not worthless. But are they always worthy?
If we stopped for a moment and prioritized our activities, would the highest priorities be getting the most air time in our lives?
It’s easy to see our time and schedule in an earthly light. Even our priorities are often shaped by worldly values. But if we put our days in the context of everlasting life, those priorities look a little off kilter.
God offers us a full life. The gifts of peace, joy, and contentment. And He has promised us life everlasting.
But we’ll never see it if our eyes are trained elsewhere.
We know where we should be looking. What our focus should be. We have the Holy Spirit within us to help, guiding, correcting, and interceding.
So let’s take the focus off the unworthy. Shift time from those things to the ones we value. This is where we’ll find the life promised.
Each time I choose to read His Word over another beach read.
Every time I say yes to a family walk instead of a solo run.
Whenever I have lunch with my husband instead of with my laptop.
Each time, I choose to focus on what I value. Won’t you join me?
Have a blessed Monday!
Looking for more encouragement and inspiration today? Try these posts:
Inspirational Monday: What to Pursue in Life
Inspirational Monday: Faith + Action = the Right Path
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