Priorities - am I doing what God has asked me to do? and

Motivation - am I doing it for the right reason?

I think those questions are basic to "getting it".

I've come to believe that people around me can sometimes be better at telling me what my priorities are than I am. That sounds counter-intuitive at first, I know, but think about it. What my priorities REALLY are will show up in real time in how I spend my money, my time and my abilities. Those things are easily seen from the outside. What I see, often, are my intentions and those don't always accurately reflect my priorities.

The next part takes things up a notch, and no one can answer this for me but me. What is my motivation for doing what I do? When I get really honest with myself, am I doing the things I do because they will make me happier, more comfortable, or give me more of what I think I want in life? Or, am I doing the things I do because I love God and love other people? And while there's nothing wrong with wanting to be happy in life, "getting it," I believe, involves getting outside of myself and aligning my desires with God's desires. It means operating from a motivation of loving Him and loving others.

So, I challenge you to ask someone this week, "when you look at my schedule, what do you think my priorities are?" Take some time to ask yourself, "why do I make these things my priorities?" And then, have an honest conversation with God about your answers.