Priorities
Do you realise that the end of the year is almost upon us? It didn't hit me till a few days ago. I sat down and thought about the goals I'd set myself at the beginning of the year, and felt a bit disheartened when I realised I hadn't achieved any of them. In fact, I'd actually messed up royally instead.
But then God showed me that I have at least achieved one thing: I'd wanted to place more priority on relationships, and for the most part, I have managed to do that.
You see, I used to be out of the house all the time and wouldn't get to see my housemates for days. I'd come home when they were already asleep and leave when they were all already out. I was either spending loooooooong hours in the office, or I was busy in church: prayer meetings, cell group meetings, music practice, Bible studies, meeting with my mentor, and so on -- all these ate up my time in the evenings after work. In the end I felt I was just too busy doing stuff. I didn't have time for myself, I didn't have time to spend with the people around me, and I didn't really have much time for God either, despite the fact that I was supposedly doing so much stuff for Him.
Somewhere around the first quarter of the year, I decided that this was no way to live, and that I needed to spend more time building relationships with the people around me. It just made no sense to be always rushing around so much that I never got to even SEE my housemates. Church activities are one thing, but we are called to love our neighbours as ourselves, and how could I do that if I never even saw them?!
So I cut down on much of my after-work activities and began making an effort to come home earlier. Even if all we did was just sit down and watch TV and talk about what had happened during the day, it was still something, y'know? And sometimes we would be in the mood to talk about life and love and faith, and sometimes we would rant and release steam, pray for one another or cry on one another's shoulders.
As a result I have gotten to know some of the most wonderful people I've ever met, and my life is immensely richer for it. In this area, at least, I feel that I've managed to achieve a good balance. Work is important (I'm kinda fond of eating, and I need to work in order to eat!), but work isn't everything; and serving in various ministries or attending church meetings/activities is important, but it becomes rather meaningless if it means neglecting the people whom God has placed in my life.