Checking the Starting Blocks …Running the Good Race!

In just a few days, we will enjoy the last day of the first month of the New Year. And if you resolved to get this year off to a rousing start, the questions becomes…have you taken the time to set your priorities for the upcoming months.

In the Scriptures, Christ shared with his disciples in Matthew 6:25-27 how to set their priorities so that they would not be anxious about the future; “Therefore, I tell you, do not be anxious about your life; what you will eat or what you will drink nor about your body, what you will put on. Is not life more than food and the body more that clothing? How do you measure up when it comes to setting priorities for your life?

The following story was sent to me recently and it so eloquently illustrates the need to take control of your life and to surrender it to the Master’s touch….see if you don’t agree!

When things in your life seem almost too much to handle, when 24 hours in a day are
 not enough, remember the story of the mayonnaise jar and the chocolate milk.

A professor stood before his philosophy class with some items in front of him. When the class began, he quietly picked up a very large, empty mayonnaise jar and proceeded to fill it with golf balls. He then asked the students if the jar was full.  They agreed that it was. The professor then picked up a box of pebbles, poured them into the jar and shook it lightly. The pebbles rolled into the open areas between the golf balls. He then asked the students if the jar was full….they agreed it was.

The professor next picked up a box of sand and poured its contents into the jar.  Of course, the sand filled up everything else. He asked once more if the jar was full.  The response was a unanimous 'yes!' The professor then produced a quart of chocolate milk from under the table and poured the entire contents into the jar…. effectively filling the empty space between the sand. The students laughed.

'Now,' said the professor as the laughter subsided, 'I want you to understand that this jar represents your life. The golf balls are the important things---your faith, your family, your children, your health, your friends and your favorite passions---and if everything else was lost and only these remained…. your life would still be full! The pebbles are the other things that matter like your job, your house, your car. The sand is everything else---the small stuff” 'If you put the sand into the jar first,' he continued, 'there is no room for the pebbles or the golf balls. The same goes for life…..

If you spend all your time and energy on the small stuff you will never have room for the things that are important to you. Pay attention to the things that are critical for your happiness so you can….

Spend quiet time in study and reflection on the Master of the Universe…God is your Creator and your relationship with Him matters most.

Spend time with your children, your parents and visit your grandparents.

Get medical checkups and follow your doctor’s advice.

Take your spouse out to dinner and get away for a romantic weekend at least once a year.

Play another 18 or dig in the dirt…there will always be time to clean the house or fix the disposal.
   
Take care of the golf balls first---the things that really matter.
    

Set your priorities. The rest is just sand.

One of the students raised her hand and inquired what the chocolate milk represented. The professor smiled and said, 'I'm glad you asked.' The chocolate milk  just shows you that no matter how full your life may seem, there's always room for CHOCOLATE!

So take heart and remember…..seek ye first the kingdom and everything else you need will be provided from your Heavenly Father.

Living one day at a time…looking for His return,

WPQ

Thought for the Day…

Starting each and every day

With the breaking of the sun;

Knowing Jesus could return

Before my day is done…

So I will spend each moment

Living in such a way…

That all will know I’m heaven bound

If this should be the day!

WPQ @ January 2011