GETTING PRIORITIES RIGHT AS CHRISTIAN YOUTHS1 By Philip Olutayo Fasipe INTRODUCTION Priority setting ranking of objectives in their order

of significance, is very important to success in life. People who get their priorities right are always better-off compared to those who wouldnt. Setting priorities is equally important to having an efficient life, and it is not as difficult as often perceived. Those who set and get their priorities right are more likely to reach their goals faster. We can have all the determination, discipline, motivation and inspiration that we want, but if our efforts are scattered or wrongly ordered, they will have little impact. Most youths are overwhelmed with underachievement not because they have no goals but because such goals are mixed up. It should be understood that setting priority is a process and not an action. It emphasizes ranking of desires and objectives in their order of importance and urgency. When this is done, all resources (material, financial, intellectual, time etc.) are channeled toward the actualization of the priorities already determined. However, it may not be easy to appropriately categorize objectives. This is the trick, everything that you cant live without, which of course should add value to your person, should be on important List (e.g. God, family, car, house, work, etc.). On the other hand, everything that requires immediate action should be in the urgent list (time bound assignments). The figure below is relevant.

This paper, narrowed down to priority setting, was presented at the Apostolic Church, Nyanya 1 Assembly, Youth th th Programme, held on 14 and 15 December 2012. It is prepared for presentation and discussion, taking due cognizance of the target audience and circumstances.

1. Urgent and Important 2. Not Urgent but Important 3. Urgent and Not Important 4. Not Urgent and Not Important HOW TO SET PRIORITIES

Do it now Decide when to do it Delegate Minimize or forget it

Priorities are not just determined; they are arrived at, following a defined process. This involves taking stock of present situation (values and assets), the vision (expected end), and the commitments (sacrifices to make). The figure below is a guide.

WHAT IS GOD'S PURPOSE FOR YOUR LIFE?

WHAT ARE YOUR GOALS?

WHAT ARE YOUR VALUES AND ASSETS?

WHAT TRADEOFFS AND SACRIFICES ARE YOU WILLING TO MAKE?

What is Gods purpose for your life? The very first thing to do is to know Gods purpose for ones life. Everyone, by divine design, has a kind of thirst that only God can quench (Ecc. 3:10,11), this is why it is advisable for us to be somewhere within Gods plan at any point in time. Things are the way God designed them and not the way they appear to us. Our priorities must match Gods goals for us and in line with His injunctions. I Timothy 6:10-12, 2 Cor. 4:17, 18. Unless we understand the purpose of God for our lives, it is difficult to get priorities right. Peter, the Apostle, was a frustrated fisherman; although he was skilled in the art. Apostle Paul was an overzealous religious man (fanatic) until the encounter with God on his way to Damascus. Samson was an invincible warrior and a Judge who allowed lust and bad temperament to blight Gods purpose for him. Consider Gods injunction to Solomon in I Kings 9:1-11 and how he (Solomon) handled it. Sometimes one is boxed to a corner through divine arrangements, as in the case of Pontius Pilate (Matt. 27:22-24), and that of Prophet Jonah (Jonah 3:13, 4:1,2), we may not be able to resolve the dilemma but such situation always ends in blessing to those who trust the faithfulness of God.

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What are your values and assets? It is difficult if not totally impossible to set priorities if we dont know what really matters to us. What are those things that make you happy? What are the things you truly value? Values can be imposed on us by the environment but, unless we determine for ourselves what really matters to us, we will have difficulty maintaining the focus and discipline necessary to accomplish our goals. Determining values is a personal activity which naturally takes time and requires sincerity. When we are sure of what we value we can then begin to set priorities that will move us in the right direction. Examples of values include the following: achievement, adventure, competitiveness, cooperation, creativity, financial security, spirituality, fame, family happiness, health, inner peace, integrity, responsibility, self-esteem, wealth, wisdom, etc. It is also important for your assets to match what you value, otherwise there is bound to be conflict. . If you dont have the wherewithal to get what you value, at least reasonably minimal, the purpose is defeated. THERE HAS TO BE A CORRELATION! Where do you want to be (vision)? There is the need to identify personal and professional landmarks within relevant ranges, at every point in time, and be sure of consistency. One must work according to a detailed plan, not by chance. Time is particularly important in this regard. In the words of Brian Tracy, There is never enough time to do everything, there is always enough time to do the most important things, and to stay with them until they are done right. What you want to be should be a function of the time at your disposal. What sacrifices are you willing to make? It is important to appreciate the fact that we cant have everything in life. There will be a time when we need to compromise or let go of some things. There is no way objectives can be fully achieved on a platter of gold. We give up certain things to get other things. You need to be organized and apt in resources management, especially time.

ALWAYS GET YOUR PRIORITIES RIGHT We succeed by priorities and not by activities! As it is in the physical so also it is in the spiritual. As Christian youths2 you have liberty with limits, Gods purpose and competitive edge (assets) should be the main consideration in setting priorities, not the physical things.
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The mind-set of Christian youths should focus on standing out rather than fitting in, through determination to wholeheartedly follow Jesus and His teachings by the help of the Holy Spirit.

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Discussion on the following:

Ephesians 5:15-17 (do you get the message?) Luke 10:38-42 (which quadrant would you place Marthas action?) 2 Sam 11:1-3 (which quadrant would you place Davids action?) Judges 11:1-11 (which quadrant would you place Jephthahs action?) Neh. 4:15-23 (which quadrant would you place Nehemiahs action?) 2 Kg. 2:1-2 (which quadrant would you place Elishas action?) John 11:1-6 (which quadrant would you place Jesus action?)

MY PRIORITY Personal experience to be described here. CONCLUSION No one makes much headway without setting and getting priorities right. Not a soul is exempted from this. Making God first in everything and living a Godly life of love (taking cognizance that you have two hands) will help in this regard. Priorities are crucial to success in life since it is impossible to have everything. It thus implies that good priorities beget good successes. Better still, godly good priorities beget godly good successes. Our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ lived a prioritized life and was fulfilled John 2:23-25, 6:13-15. Wouldnt you rather follow suit? Always remember that you only win by PRIORITIES and not by ACTIVITIES and you only live once!

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