Setting & Pursuing Right Priorities

​How important is it to set and balance right priorities? How do we even know how to start? A listener recently asked, “How do I balance school, friends, exercise, and time with God when there’s only so much time in a day?”

These are great questions — and we all wrestle with how to use the time we have. Setting and pursuing right priorities is a habit that we work on for a lifetime. God gives each of us 24 hours, and learning to use them wisely starts with knowing our priorities. Proverbs 16:3 reminds us, “Commit your work to the Lord, and your plans will be established.”

The most important part of your day is time with God. I encourage you to intentionally spend time in God’s Word before you even unlock your phone. Really – try it! Perhaps you can spend a few quiet minutes reading a proverb or a short passage in the New Testament. Kevin DeYoung writes in his book Crazy Busy, “We won’t say no to more craziness until we can say yes to more Jesus.” That’s a great reminder.

Other friendships matter too. If you’re a student, studying is part of your calling right now — preparation for future ministry and influence. And friendships? They remind us that we’re human beings made in God’s image. God created us for relationship with Him and with one another.

Another topic that Caleb mentions is exercise. This is a personal passion of mind, and I encourage you to make healthy choices in what you eat and how you exercise your body. Exercise builds discipline and strengthens your capacity to serve others well.

Here’s a simple challenge: write your priorities into your calendar. Schedule time with God, study time, exercise, and even lunch with a friend. Unscheduled priorities become lost priorities.

Pursue the habit of structuring your time around what truly matters — and take daily steps to thrive for God’s glory.