We all have priorities.

A really good thing to do now and then is an exercise I once had to do as an assignment.

Make a list of your activities. This list can then be arranged in an order in which you feel they must be accomplished. That prioritization tells a whole lot about your life.

It did about mine.

You’ve got things like going to work to provide for the family. You’ve got shopping items; we all like to eat.

Sometimes, calling my mother is found on the list, but, sadly, it’s not very high on the list. And where is calling my brothers?

Well, back to the list of what did make it on paper. Doing some reading was on it (not all Bible stuff, though). Hidden and written down were the meals; for me three a day is the norm and my body complains if it does not happen in some form or fashion.

Church-related items were on the list, like studies, worship, and meetings. What about prayer time?

The prioritization did not come so easily. If the workrelated items did not get accomplished, then working around the house or in the yard would no longer be a concern.

But where to sleep and what will be available to eat would be a great concern! So what comes first?

What has been placed before me several times this last week or so is this question of prioritization of “what is most important?”

It seems to me that for one who believes, our relationship with Jesus must be the most important aspect of our lives.

Thus, if the way we spend our time and our money do not revolve around growing and sharing our relationship with Jesus, then our priorities just might be slightly out of order.

In years past when my paycheck came from the chemical industry, I did not have a problem with doing what had to be done to keep the income steady, allowing for support of my church, my family, and my own selfish interests.

But where I had choices on what and how to do things, continued focus on my relationship with God in Jesus my Lord was always there.

As we made decisions on how to spend leisure time, attending my church’s functions (worship, committee meetings, special events) was always at the top of the list.

Continuing to build relationships with my brothers and sisters through study, worship and play has always been important for me.

Looking not only in our local area, but around our nation, many appear to have a different answer to what is most important in their lives.

And some of these include names known to be on various church rolls.

The witness of the church will grow stronger as more of us review all the aspects of our lives and check on our prioritizations.

What might happen if all our leaders were to do this? But most importantly, what might happen in my life and your life, if we were all to seriously answer, “What is most important” in our lives?

Prather is pastor of Lake Palestine United Methodist Church near Chandler.