Schedules, Priorities, and Values, Oh My!

Schedules.

​We all have them, and we like or dislike following them to a degree. When you look at someone’s schedule, or if you know what he or she does each day, you get a good sense of what he or she values in life. Someone who wants to be the best student he or she can, will have time set aside each day to study. An athlete who wants to get better at his or her chosen sport, will make time to work on it each day, even if that means getting up earlier, giving up additional time to socialize with friends, or making other sacrifices. On the other hand, someone who values music or any other fine art, will be willing to make a similar commitment. 

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​As Christians, we are constantly told that we should make time in our schedule for worship and prayer. This advice is true. There is an acronym that spells out JOY, using the words “Jesus, Others, Yourself.” I believe we can apply these principles to our life by including each of them in our daily schedule. First of all, we can make room in our schedule for Jesus. That may involve going to church more often, studying Scripture more, or simply spending a few more minutes in prayer each day. We make serving Others a priority by intentionally volunteering, or simply going out of our way to help someone. Just stopping to ask a friend or family member how he or she is really doing goes a long way as well. Lastly, you should make Yourself a priority too. Of course, you shouldn’t desperately chase after each and every little thing you want, or take from others to benefit yourself, but giving yourself some time to relax and take a break from your hectic schedule leaves you well-rested and better able to serve others and God.

In summary, your values reflect themselves in your priorities, and your priorities can be seen in your schedule. So, next time you’re planning your daily itinerary, stop and think What would bring the most JOY to God, others, and myself?

Elizabeth Scheibl is a former intern and current Resident Supervisor at New Beginnings. She is still an English major and History minor at Wisconsin Lutheran College. In her spare time, she likes reading, writing, and standing on chairs and singing.

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