You Cannot Do It All
Written by Rev. Dr. Scott Paczkowski
“Do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewal of your mind, that by testing you may discern what is the will of God, what is good and acceptable and perfect.”
The world is changing so fast; there are so many options in life it can be overwhelming. I’ve joked that the only thing I’ve been good at is being a minister. I feel bad for those intelligent, well-rounded individuals who can do anything with their lives. But, on the other hand, talented people who can do anything must have a terrible time deciding where to direct their energy.
Rather than pity the talented, it is better to instruct talented people on setting priorities. There is a price to pay for everything you give your energy to produce. Many parents think they are a parent because they brought a child into the world. Other parents try, but only when they feel like it or when they “have time.” We must set priorities before decisions are made that cannot be revoked.
The excellent writer, Darius Foroux, in his article “On the price, we pay to get what we want,” confirms we should not complain about the price we pay for decisions. Instead, it is incumbent upon us to set the proper priorities to focus on what is vital to a meaningful life. Setting and living our priorities creates and sustains integrity.
Today, write down what the priorities are in your life. Don’t write down what you think should be your priorities. Instead, write down what you honestly prioritize. Then, pray for your preferences to enhance your integrity. Once you affirm priorities worthy of your life, sit, and evaluate where you are spending your time. Ask yourself, “Am I spending my time on my priorities?” If faith, parenting, and career, for example, are priorities, then your efforts need to be focused on those three things. Setting and fulfilling your preferences is a process. Ask God to guide you through the process. When you do, integrity and meaning become a reality.
