Naming what is important

Well known time managament advisors offer the counsel to separate what is important from what is urgent and then focus on what is important. The advice recognizes that we all can get caught up in the crises of the moment and loose focus on the bigger picture. And, we can use the crisis of the moment to distract us from addressing other priorities.

Naming and then focusing on what is important in our relationship with Christ can also be overshadowed by the crisis of the moment. We tend to be outward focused on the needs of the world, our communities, and those we love. The quick prayer for patience with a two year old or wisdom with a teen. The deep breath to get us through the moment, and, then we are onto the next thing. While raising the moments, hurts, and needs of our lives to the compassionate life of Christ is important, we often turn to that side of our spirituality in crisis.

This week try practicing two sides of the spiritual life that are important and inward. The first side is daily intercessions for the needs of the world. Pray for a period of time, perhaps 10 minutes, naming all the people and places you desire to sent Christ's healing love. Do this every day instead of in the moment. Create a time that you offer to the world a 'daily vitamin' of love. The second side is to name the inner feelings of gratitude and connection. Name the people, the relationships, that give you life and love. These are the places that your life and Christ's life meet. These are the places that are not in crisis but are nurturing in the big picture of your life.

Naming what is important goes beyond the crisis and into the deeper places of Christ's love within us.