Why It’s Important to Have Our Priorities In Order

Life presents us with countless demands, opportunities, and distractions every single day. From the moment we wake up until we lay our heads down at night, we’re constantly making decisions about how to spend our time, energy, and resources. Without clear priorities to guide these decisions, we risk drifting through life reactively rather than purposefully, ultimately finding ourselves far from where we truly want to be.

The Foundation of Intentional Living

Having our priorities in order serves as the compass that guides us through life’s complexities. When we know what matters most to us, we can make decisions that align with our values and long-term goals rather than simply responding to whatever seems most urgent in the moment. This clarity transforms us from passive participants in our own lives to active architects of our destiny.

Consider Sarah, a marketing executive who dreamed of starting her own consulting business. For years, she told herself she would eventually take the leap, but without clear priorities, she found herself saying yes to every social invitation, taking on extra projects at work, and spending weekends shopping or binge-watching television. Despite earning a good salary, she felt unfulfilled and frustrated, watching others achieve the entrepreneurial success she craved while she remained stuck in the same routine.

The Ripple Effects of Misaligned Priorities

When our priorities are out of order, the consequences extend far beyond missed opportunities. The most immediate impact is often felt in our stress levels and overall well-being. Without a clear hierarchy of what matters most, everything feels equally important and urgent, leading to decision fatigue and chronic overwhelm.

Take the example of Mark, a father of two young children who works in software development. Mark values family time above all else, yet he consistently stays late at the office to help colleagues with non-urgent projects, checks emails during family dinners, and spends weekends debugging code that could wait until Monday. His misaligned priorities have created tension in his marriage, caused him to miss important moments with his children, and ironically, made him less effective at work due to burnout and resentment.

The financial consequences of misaligned priorities can be equally devastating. When we don’t prioritize financial stability and long-term planning, we may find ourselves making impulsive purchases, accumulating debt, or failing to save for retirement. A young professional who prioritizes immediate gratification over financial security might lease an expensive car, dine out frequently, and buy designer clothes while contributing nothing to their 401(k). Years later, they may realize they’ve traded their future security for temporary pleasures.

The Professional Cost of Unclear Priorities

In professional settings, unclear priorities can derail careers and damage relationships. Employees who can’t distinguish between high-impact activities and busy work often find themselves working long hours with little to show for it. They may complete numerous tasks while missing critical deadlines or failing to contribute meaningfully to important projects.

Consider Jennifer, a talented graphic designer who prided herself on being helpful to everyone. She would drop everything to create quick flyers for colleagues, spend hours perfecting minor details on low-priority projects, and volunteer for every committee and initiative. While her colleagues appreciated her willingness to help, her manager grew frustrated with her inability to complete major client projects on time. Despite her technical skills and work ethic, Jennifer was passed over for promotions because she couldn’t demonstrate strategic thinking or results-focused execution.

The Relationship Toll

Perhaps nowhere are the consequences of misaligned priorities more painful than in our relationships. When we don’t prioritize the people who matter most to us, we risk damaging or losing these connections entirely. This might manifest as consistently canceling plans with friends to work late, failing to make time for meaningful conversations with our spouse, or being physically present but mentally absent during family gatherings.

The erosion of relationships due to misaligned priorities often happens gradually, making it easy to overlook until significant damage has occurred. A marriage might slowly deteriorate as partners prioritize work, hobbies, or social media over quality time together. Friendships may fade as we repeatedly choose less important activities over maintaining these connections. Children may begin to feel that they’re not valued if parents consistently prioritize work calls over bedtime stories or choose to attend networking events rather than school plays.

Starting Fresh: The Path to Aligned Priorities

The good news is that it’s never too late to realign our priorities and start fresh. The first step involves honest self-reflection and assessment of what truly matters to us. This requires setting aside time for deep thinking, perhaps through journaling, meditation, or conversations with trusted friends or mentors.

Begin by listing everything that’s important to you: career advancement, family relationships, health and fitness, financial security, personal growth, hobbies, community involvement, and spiritual development. Then, force yourself to rank these areas in order of true importance, not based on how you currently spend your time, but on what you genuinely value most.

Next, conduct a time audit to understand where your hours actually go. Track your activities for a week, noting how much time you spend on work, family, exercise, entertainment, and other activities. Compare this reality to your stated priorities. The gaps between your values and your actions will reveal where changes are needed.

Creating and Maintaining Your Priority System

Once you’ve identified your core priorities, create a simple framework for decision-making. When faced with opportunities or requests, ask yourself: “Does this align with my top three priorities?” If the answer is no, you have a clear basis for declining. If yes, consider whether it’s worth the time and energy investment given your other commitments.

Establish non-negotiable time blocks for your highest priorities. If family is your top priority, schedule family time just as you would an important business meeting. If health is crucial, block out exercise time and treat it as unmovable. These protected time slots ensure that your most important areas receive consistent attention regardless of other demands.

Staying Committed to Your Priorities

Maintaining aligned priorities requires ongoing vigilance and regular review. Schedule monthly check-ins with yourself to assess whether your actions still align with your stated priorities. Be willing to adjust as circumstances change, but resist the temptation to constantly reorganize your priorities based on temporary pressures or new opportunities.

Build accountability into your system by sharing your priorities with trusted friends or family members who can help keep you on track. Consider working with a coach or mentor who can provide objective feedback on your progress and help you navigate difficult decisions.

Remember that saying no to good opportunities is often necessary to say yes to great ones. Every yes to something is a no to something else. When your priorities are clear, these decisions become easier because you have a framework for evaluating trade-offs.

Having our priorities in order is not about perfection or rigid adherence to a predetermined plan. It’s about creating a thoughtful approach to life that ensures our daily actions align with our deepest values and long-term goals. When we live with clear priorities, we experience greater satisfaction, reduced stress, and the confidence that comes from knowing we’re investing our precious time and energy in what matters most. The alternative—drifting through life without direction—is a risk none of us can afford to take.

Communion: The Meaning, Significance, and Biblical Importance

Communion, also known as the Lord’s Supper or the Eucharist, stands as one of the most profound and sacred practices in Christianity. This sacred ordinance, instituted by Jesus Christ himself, transcends denominational boundaries and serves as a cornerstone of Christian worship and spiritual reflection. Understanding its biblical foundation, symbolic meaning, and contemporary significance provides believers with a deeper appreciation for this holy sacrament and its role in the Christian faith.

The Biblical Foundation of Communion

The institution of communion is rooted in the final meal Jesus shared with his disciples before his crucifixion, commonly known as the Last Supper. This pivotal moment is recorded in three of the four Gospels, with the most detailed account found in Luke 22:14-20. During this Passover meal, Jesus transformed the traditional Jewish celebration into something entirely new and revolutionary.

“And he took bread, gave thanks and broke it, and gave it to them, saying, ‘This is my body given for you; do this in remembrance of me.’ In the same way, after the supper he took the cup, saying, ‘This cup is the new covenant in my blood, which is poured out for you'” (Luke 22:19-20). These words established the foundation for what would become the central sacrament of Christian worship.

The apostle Paul provides additional insight into the practice of communion in his first letter to the Corinthians. In 1 Corinthians 11:23-26, Paul recounts the Lord’s instructions and emphasizes the commemorative nature of the ordinance: “For whenever you eat this bread and drink this cup, you proclaim the Lord’s death until he comes.” This passage establishes communion not merely as a ritual but as a proclamation of faith and a bridge between Christ’s historical sacrifice and his promised return.

The Symbolic Elements: Bread and Wine

The elements of communion carry profound symbolic meaning that connects believers to the core of Christian salvation. The bread represents Christ’s body, broken for humanity’s redemption. When Jesus declared “This is my body given for you,” he was pointing to the physical sacrifice he would make on the cross. The breaking of the bread symbolizes the breaking of his body through crucifixion, endured to pay the penalty for human sin.

The cup, containing wine or grape juice in many modern churches, represents Christ’s blood shed for the forgiveness of sins. Jesus’ words, “This cup is the new covenant in my blood,” establish a direct connection between his sacrifice and the new relationship between God and humanity. This “new covenant” replaced the old covenant of law with a covenant of grace, made possible through Christ’s atoning sacrifice.

The timing of communion’s institution during Passover adds another layer of significance. Just as the Passover meal commemorated Israel’s deliverance from Egyptian bondage, communion commemorates humanity’s deliverance from the bondage of sin. The parallels are striking: the Passover lamb’s blood protected the Israelites from death, while Christ, referred to as “the Lamb of God,” provides protection from spiritual death through his sacrificial blood.

The Meaning of Remembrance

The concept of remembrance in communion extends far beyond simple mental recollection. The Greek word “anamnesis,” translated as “remembrance” in most English versions, carries the meaning of making present or bringing into the current moment. When believers participate in communion, they are not merely remembering a historical event but are spiritually participating in the reality of Christ’s sacrifice.

This remembrance serves multiple purposes. It keeps the crucifixion central to Christian faith, preventing believers from losing sight of the cost of their salvation. It provides an opportunity for personal reflection and examination, as Paul instructs in 1 Corinthians 11:28: “Everyone ought to examine themselves before they eat of the bread and drink from the cup.” This self-examination promotes spiritual growth and repentance.

Furthermore, communion serves as a tangible reminder of God’s love and grace. In a world filled with distractions and competing priorities, the regular practice of communion calls believers back to the fundamental truth of the Gospel: that God loved humanity so much that he gave his only Son for their redemption.

Unity and Community in Communion

Communion emphasizes the communal nature of Christian faith. Paul’s instructions to the Corinthian church reveal that communion is not merely an individual act of devotion but a corporate expression of unity. In 1 Corinthians 10:16-17, he writes, “Because there is one loaf, we, who are many, are one body, for we all share the one loaf.” This passage highlights how communion creates and demonstrates the unity of believers as members of Christ’s body.

The practice of communion breaks down barriers between believers of different backgrounds, social classes, and ethnicities. When Christians gather around the communion table, they come as equals, all dependent on the same grace and forgiveness provided through Christ’s sacrifice. This unity extends beyond local congregations to encompass the global church, as believers worldwide participate in the same ordinance, remembering the same sacrifice.

The communal aspect of communion also serves as a reminder of believers’ responsibility to one another. Paul’s rebuke of the Corinthians for their divisive behavior during communion (1 Corinthians 11:17-22) demonstrates that the sacrament calls Christians to examine not only their relationship with God but also their relationships with fellow believers.

Spiritual Significance and Personal Transformation

Communion offers believers a unique opportunity for spiritual encounter and transformation. The act of taking the bread and cup while contemplating Christ’s sacrifice creates a moment of intimate worship and reflection. Many believers report experiencing a profound sense of God’s presence and love during communion, finding it to be a source of spiritual renewal and strength.

The practice also serves as a means of confession and forgiveness. As believers examine themselves before partaking, they are led to acknowledge their sins and receive God’s forgiveness. This regular rhythm of confession and absolution promotes spiritual health and growth, preventing the accumulation of guilt and shame that can hinder one’s relationship with God.

Frequency and Preparation

While the Bible does not specify how often communion should be observed, different Christian traditions have developed varying practices. Some churches celebrate communion weekly, following the example of early Christians who “broke bread” regularly (Acts 2:42-46). Others observe it monthly or quarterly, treating it as a special occasion requiring extended preparation and reflection.

Regardless of frequency, proper preparation remains essential. Paul’s warning about eating and drinking in an “unworthy manner” (1 Corinthians 11:27-29) emphasizes the importance of approaching communion with reverence and self-examination. This preparation might include prayer, fasting, confession of sins, and reflection on Christ’s sacrifice.

Theological Perspectives and Interpretations

Throughout church history, different Christian traditions have developed varying interpretations of communion’s meaning and significance. Some churches teach transubstantiation, believing that the bread and wine literally become Christ’s body and blood. Others view communion as primarily symbolic, representing spiritual truths rather than involving physical transformation. Still others hold a middle position, believing in Christ’s spiritual presence in the elements without physical change.

Despite these theological differences, all Christian traditions agree on communion’s fundamental importance as a means of grace, a source of spiritual nourishment, and a vital expression of Christian faith. The diversity of interpretation does not diminish the universal significance of this sacred ordinance.

Contemporary Relevance and Application

In today’s fast-paced world, communion provides a necessary pause for reflection and spiritual renewal. The practice calls believers to slow down, contemplate eternal truths, and reconnect with the foundational realities of their faith. In an age of digital distractions and superficial interactions, communion offers a tangible, multisensory experience that engages the whole person in worship.

The communal aspect of communion remains particularly relevant in contemporary society, where individualism and isolation are increasingly common. The practice reminds believers that they are part of something larger than themselves, connected to a community of faith that spans centuries and continents.

Conclusion

Communion stands as one of Christianity’s most precious gifts, offering believers a profound means of connecting with Christ’s sacrifice, experiencing spiritual renewal, and expressing unity with fellow Christians. Its biblical foundation, rich symbolism, and continuing relevance make it an essential practice for anyone seeking to grow in Christian faith and understanding. Whether observed weekly or less frequently, communion remains a powerful reminder of God’s love, grace, and the hope found in Christ’s redemptive work. Through this sacred ordinance, believers not only remember Christ’s sacrifice but also anticipate his promised return, making communion both a look backward to the cross and a look forward to eternal glory.