Getting my priorities in order.

I have been thinking a lot recently about my priorities in life. And in my thoughts I realized a few things. Though I say certain things are a priority, if you look at my life I wonder are they really?

Let me start by making a list, its pretty simple and pretty common.

My God and faith
My wife
My kids
The family I enjoy
My friends
Myself, meaning those interests that I have but might not include the ones listed above.
My Job
My health
My family I don't enjoy, " Cmon we all do it"

That will do for now. So sounds like a pretty typical list right.

So as I think about priorities, I start thinking what it really means to make something a priority. And here is my simplest explanation of what I think a priority is.

Something/someone you choose to spend time in/with over other possible choices. Meaning if something really is a priority, then I choose it over something that is not when the time comes to make the choice. You see its a choice, and not one something life or others make for you. Its a personal choice.

Well darn it, if I think that way, my priorities are way messed up. Why you ask. Well since I am being honest, I have to say that very rarely choose to spend time with my God and in my faith over so many things that even are not on the list. I mean how often do I spend time time playing a card game on the Internet, or a stupid game on my phone. Watching TV. Or what about social media, how much time do I spend wasting away reading a lot of pointless info, instead of reading the Bible, or talking with my God. How often to I choose ones of those over my wife or kids/

How often do I choose something down lower on this list over one another on the top?

Now before I go any farther, I am not laying a guilt trip on you, and I am not saying that if I or anyone does not choose the #1 on the list every time over one down lower that your failing at keeping priorities, but I am asking myself how often do I make that specific choice. Cause the amount of times I make the choice will determine what I am truly making as a priority. So looking at it that way, I would have to admit that social media, pointless games, and TV at this point in my life take priority over spending time with God, specifically in his word, cause I easily choose those and a daily basis way more often then the Bible, or over prayer.

So now I am depressed, thanks self.

Also now I have to look at how my choices are effecting the priorities that I have on my list. Do my choices reflect that God is a priority, that my Wife is one, that my are kids are one? If not then how does that affect them. Not only do I want them to be one, but I want them to feel like one as well. That means when the opportunities arise I have to ensure I choose them over others lower or not even on the list.

So now to start working on those choices. Instead of that game I play every evening, read a chapter of the Bible, once or twice a night. Instead of watching 5-6 TV shows each week, watch only 3-4 and replace it with a game with my kids. Just like so many other things in life, its a true choice, and if we do not choose the ones on the top of the list, then maybe  the list is not a true reflection of reality.