Some years ago a headline told of three hundred whales that suddenly died. The whales were pursuing sardines and found themselves marooned in a bay. Frederick Harris commented, “The small fish lured the sea giants to their death. They came to their violent demise by chasing small ends, by prostituting vast powers for insignificant goals.”
The tragedy that befell these whales ought to be a lesson to all of us on the power of priorities. Priorities are the things that we deem valuable or important and they have a profound impact on our lives. For better or for worse, your priorities will guide your direction in life. Consider the whales that met their untimely death just because they were chasing sardines. They exerted such great strength in order to chase something so little and in the end it led to their own demise. I wonder how many people have thrown away their life, so to speak, just chasing a lunch like these whales? Are we just chasing sardines?
It’s not always easily apparent what we should prioritize. Dwight Eisenhower hit the nail on the head when he said, “What is important is seldom urgent and what is urgent is seldom important.” Are we just hitting all the deadlines while we miss what’s truly important? Are our priorities out of whack?
If you are unsure of what your priorities are, just take a moment to consider the things you give your time, money, and energy to. Those are the things you are prioritizing. You can’t do everything; you have to pick and choose. There’s nothing wrong with that. You prioritize when you decide what things are worth giving your time, money, and energy to.
Whether you realize it or not, we all have priorities. Some have thought these things through, and others walk haphazardly through life, but we all are declaring what’s most important each day by our choices. The real question is not just, “Do I have priorities?”, rather the question is “Will I prioritize the right things?” Thankfully the Bible helps us know how to rightly prioritize our life. Here’s a few helpful examples.
PRIORITIZING YOUR THOUGHT LIFE
Finally, brothers and sisters, whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable—if anything is excellent or praiseworthy—think about such things.
-Philippians 4:8, NIV
PRIORITIZING YOUR EFFORTS
For physical training is of some value, but godliness has value for all things, holding promise for both the present life and the life to come.
-1 Timothy 4:8, NIV
PRIORITIZING YOUR FINANCES/RESOURCES
24 One person gives freely, yet gains even more; another withholds unduly, but comes to poverty. 25 A generous person will prosper; whoever refreshes others will be refreshed.
-Proverbs 11:24-25, NIV
PRIORITIZING WHEN FEELING WORRIED/PRESSURED
But seek first his kingdom and his righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well.
-Matthew 6:33, NIV
THE TWO MOST IMPORTANT PRIORITIES
36 “Teacher, which is the greatest commandment in the Law?”
37 Jesus replied: “‘Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind.’ 38 This is the first and greatest commandment. 39 And the second is like it: ‘Love your neighbor as yourself.’ 40 All the Law and the Prophets hang on these two commandments.”
-Matthew 22:36-40, NIV