How do I know what’s really important?

1 Samuel 14:35Then Saul built an altar to the Lord; it was the first of the altars he built to the Lord.

We should be careful not to confuse what’s urgent with what’s important. This verse, taken out of context, makes it sound like Saul’s greatest priority was worshiping God. But Saul finally got around to building an altar to God months and possibly years after he was first anointed king. The urgent had taken him away from where he really needed to be spending his time—worshiping God.

Proverbs 3:5-6Trust in the Lord with all your heart; do not depend on your own understanding. Seek his will in all you do, and he will show you which path to take.

Mark 10:31“Many who are the greatest now will be least important then, and those who seem least important now will be the greatest then.”

If all of our priorities focus on what is best for us, we will never achieve God’s best for us. Always seek God’s input first in any decision. When considering some course of action, ask yourself if it would be a priority to God.

Haggai 1:9“You hoped for rich harvests, but they were poor. And when you brought your harvest home, I blew it away. Why? Because my house lies in ruins, says the Lord of Heaven’s Armies, while all of you are busy building your own fine houses.”

Our priorities are the scales on which our love for God is weighed. Results, in one way or another, reveal our true priorities. Be sure to take care of God’s agenda before your own.