ROCKS in your bowl (priorities)

A professor pulled out a bowl in his class... filled it with BIG ROCKS, and then asked the class - is it full.

The class said yes.

He then poured some gravel into the bowl - and they watched the gravel fill up in the spaces b/w the rocks.

Is if full?

He then poured some sand, which also fell b/w the spaces b/w the gravel.

Is it full?

Finally, he took a cup of water and poured it into the bowl, and slowly it made it's way into whatever cracks were left.

He then asked: IF I STARTED WITH THE WATER COULD WE HAVE FILLED THE BOWL UP?

Answer: NO

If you start with the small stuff, you won't have space for the big stuff.

A LESSON IN PRIORITIES:

What ROCKS need to get into your bowl first this year.

Psalm 1:3 says,

Blessed is the man who is like a tree planted besides streams of water, for it will bear fruit in season, and its leaves will not wither.

The Tree is healthy and productive b/c it's near the streams.

ITS LOCATION IS ESSENTIAL. THE STREAMS ARE THE BIG ROCKS.

Instead of merely charting goals (which are good); reflecting on areas you need to succeed in (which is also good), imagine placing our attention on what will nourish you.

As I set up my year: calendar, check book, relationships, evenings, rest, vacation, etc., WHAT WILL COME FIRST? WHAT ARE THE BIG ROCKS?

WHAT STREAMS WILL HELP YOU GROW AND BE FRUITFUL?

I'll post some thoughts on various areas of life over the next few days: spiritual, physical, financial, relational.

For now, start thinking about what streams - if any - are currently in your life?