Daily Digest: Capstone Capsule

“ONE THING I DO, forgetting those things which are behind and reaching forward to those things which are ahead” – Phi.3:13b

Following the Master’s Steps, Paul the Apostle exemplified the practice of PRIORITIZING for IMPACT: “Brethren, I do not count myself to have apprehended; but ONE THING I DO, forgetting those things which are behind and reaching forward to those things which are ahead, I press toward the goal for the prize of the upward call of God in Christ Jesus” (Phil3: 13-14). Impactful Paul was a man of “This one thing”! Average people try to do many things with mediocrity rather than a few things with excellence. Prioritizing for God-glorifying Impact often centers on placing God first and aligning our actions with His Will.

Priorities are the options that are considered more important than others at any point in time; in terms of activities, desires, duties, needs or tasks. To prioritize means to arrange or do in order of priority or to give a high priority to. Prioritizing is the ranking of options in order of importance, value or significance. There is always the temptation to try to do everything at once, especially when one is under pressure; hence the need to set priorities; to concentrate on and accomplish few things very well or concentrate on the things one does best! Prioritizing prevents purposeless drifting from one desire, activity, or programme, to another, with no tangible progress or sense of purpose.  Prioritizing enhances performance, effectiveness, and excellence.

Our Lord commands: “But seek FIRST the Kingdom of God and His righteousness, and all these things shall be added to you” (Mt.6:33). This highlights the value of prioritizing God’s purposes and plans for our lives; actively seeking to understand and follow His Will in all aspects of life, which often involves surrendering personal desires and ambitions to His Will. Our Lord prioritized prayer, people, and preaching the Gospel, not just as personal choices, but models for Believers to follow. He often withdrew to pray, even amidst busy schedules. He taught the disciples how to pray and modeled it through His own actions. He showed compassion to diverse people, prioritizing their well-being and spiritual needs, while sacrificing personal comfort.

Jesus’ other priority mission was to preach the good news of the Kingdom. He declared: “My food is to do the will of His who sent me, and to finish His work” (Jh.4:34). Again, he said, “I MUST WORK the works of Him who sent Me while it is day; the night is coming when no one can work” (Jh.9:4). In the house of Mary and Martha, He told Martha: “But ONE THING is needed, and Mary has chosen that good part, which will not be taken away from her” (Lk.10:42). While Mary sat at the Lord’s feet, listening to His Word, Martha was distracted with kitchen chores. Like Mary, we can learn to prioritize in the light of eternity!