Christians are busy people, as indeed we should be. But often we are too busy, or busy with the wrong things. Perhaps you wonder, “Can Christians truly be too busy? There is work to be done in God’s kingdom! There are souls to win! We only have one life to live! We must be up and doing!” There is indeed a lot to do in service to our Lord, but simply being busy with good things does not ensure that we are busy with the right things in the right priority and with the right motivation.

As you face the challenge of organizing your time, prayer­fully consider:

1. Am I giving the Highest Priority to my Relationship with the Lord Jesus?⤒🔗

The first commandment, “Thou shalt have no other gods before me,” necessitates that God comes first in our life. Regu­lar communion with Him in prayer and Scripture reading is essential to a right use of time. Without daily fellowship with our Lord, we will not have the strength of heart and renewing of mind needed to serve Him. We need to always remember what the Lord Jesus said, “I am the vine, ye are the branches: He that abideth in me, and I in him, the same bringeth forth much fruit: for without me you can do nothing” (John 15:5).

2. Am I taking Proper Care of myself Physically and Mentally?←⤒🔗

The Lord has made us both physical and spiritual; we need to rest as well as work. Even in Paradise, a Sabbath day’s rest was provided after the week’s work. If we do not take the time to eat well, exercise, and sleep, we violate the very design of creation. When we do not make time for rest and rejuvenation, we fail to appreciate the Lord and all He has done. If we would know Him aright, we must take time to “be still” (Ps. 46:10).

3. Am I giving the Proper Place to my calling as a husband, father, wife, mother, son, brother, daughter, or sister?←⤒🔗

The Word of God places tremendous importance on family life. The fifth and seventh commandments and the teachings of Ephesians 5-6 and Colossians 3 are just a few examples of the prominence God’s Word gives to maintaining godly family relationships. Having a healthy family life is so important that it is necessary to hold office in the church (1 Tim. 3, Titus 1).

4. Am I Working Diligently in the Calling the Lord has given me?←⤒🔗

Scripture also makes faithful service in other callings a high priority. Servants are instructed to serve their masters “in singleness of heart, as unto Christ; not with eye-service, as men-pleasers; but as the servants of Christ, doing the will of God from the heart; with good will doing service, as to the Lord, and not to men” (Eph. 6:5-7). Scripture further teaches, “if any would not work, neither should he eat” (2 Thess. 3:10). Clearly, Christians must work faithfully in their occupations.

After taking time to consider your priorities, remember three very important things:

1. It is essential to be motivated by love to the Lord Jesus Christ alone. It is easy to serve with the wrong motives. Three com­mon wrong motives are seeking to gain the approval of people, to avoid guilt, or to feel good about oneself.
   
   Making good use of your time simply to win the approval of others is dangerous and wrong. People’s standards are not the same as the Lord’s, and they quickly change. Over time, the approval of the individuals whose esteem you craved may no longer motivate you. In the end, working to please men leaves you dissatisfied and unproductive. Worse, being motivated by people first necessarily puts the Lord second. We must always remember that our master is the Lord Jesus Christ and none other.
   
   We can also be wrongly motivated by guilt. Guilt should never be our motive, for a child of God is no longer under the law and there is no condemnation for him (Rom. 6-8:4). To be motivated by guilt is to mistakenly think we can do something that would be acceptable with God, but this is impossible. Even our good works are filthy rags before the holiness of God (Isa. 64:6); the only works acceptable to Him are those of His Son in whom He is well pleased (Eph. 1:4-9).
   
   Lastly, being wrongly motivated by pride or feeling good about ourselves is a very similar mistake to being motivated by guilt. We can do nothing on which we can base our self-worth; we are all unprofitable servants (Luke 17:10). God does not love us for who we are in ourselves (Rom. 3:10-18) or because of anything we can do, but only because of who Christ is and what He has done (Matt. 17:5; Heb. 10:12-24).
    
2. Evaluating your priorities is an ongoing process as life changes and the Lord gives new callings. Relationships change. Children are born. Our health varies with age and disease. As the Lord sovereignly blesses us with joys, challenges, and afflictions, we must change our priorities and use of time to honor Him. Abra­ham followed the Lord wherever He led. The people of Israel followed the Lord’s presence in the pillar of cloud and fire; we, too, must follow Him wherever and however He leads us. What a blessing to know He will provide for us every step of the way for Jesus’ sake (Deut. 8:2-6; Ps. 37:25; Rom. 8:28, 29).
    
3. When you fail to keep your priorities, do not be discouraged. We are sinful and we will fail. Our failures cannot separate us from His love (Rom. 8:38, 39). Simply repent (Job 33:27-28) and look to the Lord (Num. 21:8-9), trusting in His grace (2 Cor. 12:9). Then, purpose once again to serve Him with all your heart, soul, mind, and strength (Matt. 22:37-38).