Choose Your Priorities and Pace

“Twenty-one, twenty-two, twenty- three…”

I ran frantically on the cobblestone sidewalk. All alone, I searched for the perfect hiding space. My three friends already tucked away – one was hidden behind the big oak tree, another in the bamboo maze up the hill, and the last one behind the grand stone entrance to the park. I only had until the count of forty to find my spot.

“Twenty-seven, twenty-eight, twenty-nine, thirty…”

I was running out of time. Darting into the grassy patch to the left of the sidewalk, I landed face-first with my left arm twisted under my shocked body. The pain from my fractured hand quickly exceeded my urgency to hide. 

In my haste, I had failed to notice the small rope only six inches off the ground which lined the path through the park. 

Aren’t some days or even months like this? Frantically running through life without realizing we’ve stepped out of the path we should stay on?

During hectic seasons of life, I’ve discovered that I’m less likely to get hurt or to hurt others if I stick to my priority path instead of trying to take a shortcut. If I sacrifice priorities such as soul care, self-care, and the relationships entrusted to me, I’ll get to the other side with more regrets than rejoicing. 

Even when I do prioritize these things, a fast pace can’t be sustained for long before something vital is forgotten, a relationship is damaged, or my body demands a halt. 

Even as I write this email, my mind tells me, “you got this girl!” but the tension in my back and neck remind me that this week has held too much –Two major ministry deadlines, school year wrap-up and testing, soccer practices, moving a child out of college, a high school graduation, packing for vacation, and later this week a college graduation. 

Whew! What were we thinking? 

I have to confess. “I don’t got this, girl!” I don’t got this emotionally or physically. I don’t got this!

I’ve stayed on my priority path – started my days with God, paused throughout and asked Him for strength and forgiveness, prioritized sleep and morning exercise, but even still I’ve been impatient with my children, failed to communicate well with my husband, and almost completely missed an important financial deadline.

In other words, the pace of my week has tripped me up in ways that I wasn’t expecting and threatened to cause unnecessary damage.

Thankfully, God’s grace is sufficient in my weakness, because I have certainly needed it this week. 

Friend, His grace is sufficient for you, too! 

Wherever you find yourself today, make sure you prioritize a path walking with Jesus. Instead of running haphazardly through your day, trust God to direct your steps and surrender your plans to his purpose. In doing so, you can navigate even the crazy weeks with confidence and hope.

We don’t have to “got this” because we know the One who does! 

The Lord makes firm the steps of the one who delights in him; though he may stumble, he will not fall, for the Lord upholds him with his hand.

Psalm 37:23-24 (NIV)

Do you feel like you’re rushing through life? 

💧 Define Your Priority Path – How are you taking care of yourself? What needs to take priority for your self-care, soul care, and relationships?  

💧 Define Your Pace – What can you let go of or delegate to someone else? Are the expectations you have for yourself realistic? If not, take time to realign your goals with God’s purpose for this week. Ask God to show you what each day should hold.