Joe Pellegrino: “Are Your Priorities in Order?”

By Joe Pellegrino

“For where your treasure is, there will your heart be also.” Luke 12:34

Have you ever thought about the power in priorities? In fact, they are a very powerful thing. On the one hand, if we use them properly, priorities can catapult us forward. If not used properly, they can hold us back from achieving our goals. What about you? Are your priorities in order?

I want to share with you a point in my life when my priorities were a little bit out of order. Then I learned the truth, and the truth set me free (John 8:32).

We were living in New Jersey in the spring of 1992 when my wife and I decided to take a trip to Hershey Park, Pennsylvania. Traveling with us was my three-year-old son, Joey, and my one-year-old daughter, Jenny.

As we were walking into the park, I noticed a sign which read, Adult $35, Child $15. The sign also said that admission was free for children two-years old and under. So, I did what any good father would do. I picked my young son up, put him on my shoulder and whispered into his ear, “If you’re asked, you’re two years old.”

We walk in. He’s two year’s old. We get in for free, and we have a wonderful day. I feel victorious because that day we saved some coin. Clearly, I didn’t know what I was doing.

On the way home, we took the New Jersey Turnpike and stopped at a restaurant. My wife and two kids were sitting in the back and I went to the front to get the food. I’m walking back to the table, and I see my son over the other side of the chair talking to the person next to him. I get there just in time to hear this conversation:

“Little boy, you are adorable. What’s your name?”

“My name is Joey.”

“How old are you?”

And without thinking, he replies, “Well, I’m three years old, but when I go to Hershey Park, I’m two.”

My son’s response truly shook me. Teaching my young son how to lie, what a legacy! I knew I had to step back and reprioritize the things in my life.

So, I ask you again… What about you? Are your priorities in order?

If you want to test yourself simply look at three areas in your own life;

1. Your Checkbook: What do you spend your money on?
2. Your Schedule: What do you spend your time on; are you investing time in anyone?
3. Your Attitude: What do you spend your thoughts on. Other people? Positive or negative, contentment or jealousy?

What did the test reveal? Now be honest!

“Set your minds on things above, not on earthly things.” Colossians 3:2

These three things speak boldly to our priorities and how we live our lives. If you are like most people, you probably need some help in one or more of these areas. Fortunately, one divine word provides the solution and the necessary order of our priorities. It is THE formula for success. That word is JOY: Jesus Others You. Where happiness is circumstantial, Joy is eternal. You see, God is a God of order. He provides us with this simple word to remind us of our true priorities. Satan, on the other hand, is the author of confusion, or disorder. He is determined to move us off the path. Your response to this formula will lead to either harmony or chaos.

Did you ever think that setting up proper priorities could not only point you to the thing we all want most in life, PURPOSE, but will also fulfill it! The challenge most of us face is that we have become too comfortable AND growth requires work. The status quo feels very comfortable and becomes our way of life. My question to those folks would be, “How is that working out for you?” I think most would agree, it’s not.

Truth is we need to grow every day by learning new things. At the same time, maybe it’s time we UNLEARN somethings so that we can move forward and make room for some new skills. There is a great JOY (there’s that word again) in establishing solid priorities that will not only help you succeed, but others as well! I promise you this, by mastering your PRIORITIES, it will take you less time to achieve your goals.

So, the question is…What would happen if you were to sit down and take a real look at your life through fresh lenses and properly prioritize it based on whose you are and what you are called to? I think you will be pleasantly surprised!

Thoughts? Email me at joe@legacymindedmen.org

Joe Pellegrino is a pastor, life coach, and the founder of Legacy Minded Men.