Time is very precious, and how we spend our time should align with what we value.  Once we understand what is most important, our priorities, and what we value, we can better navigate how to spend each hour of the day.

It’s not always easy to reflect on how we spend our time.  We might spend more time than we realize thinking about what we have to do, rather than actually completing the task.  Other times, we might have a list of errands to run that may or may not be a priority or reflect our values and how we choose to spend our time.  Then there are the times we overcommit to activities, despite not aligning with our priorities.

How I allocated my time changed significantly when I realigned my priorities to faith first, family second, and career third.  Although my faith has always been strong, I needed to recognize it as being my highest priority and activate it by living with love, then things fell into place.  For me, serving Jesus is my highest priority.

Currently, I have three things on my to-do list daily: prayer, biking while listening to the Daily Audio Bible, and walking my dog.  Everything else on my list changes daily, including my work schedule.  Some people don’t like lists, but without one, I would spend far too much time thinking about what I need to do.  Putting the task on paper clears my head to focus on serving Jesus. 

Once I know what is most important, my priorities, and my values, I evaluate how I spend my time daily.  Does my current schedule align with those priorities?  Am I getting too much or too little sleep?  Is the time I spend at work productive for me and my family?  Am I able to find quality time with those closest to me?  Is my home in order, and are the chores completed?  Are all the tasks necessary, and if not, can they be done differently or not at all?    

Daily, there are distractions that can pull us off our focus.  When we prioritize our values and what is important to us, we can better manage our day.  When about to be pulled off course, I ask myself, “Am I serving Jesus?  Is this necessary?”  If the answer to either of those questions is yes, I pray my way through it and do it.  If the answer is no and I have all my tasks for the day complete, I pray about it.  If my house is not in order and tasks are not complete, the answer is no.

Knowing what we value most helps us allocate the precious time we have here on earth.  For me, time well spent is serving Jesus.

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