Life is busy. But sometimes, being busy is just busyness, and intentionally focusing on living out our priorities may get lost in the shuffle.

Unfortunately, even when we know the chaos of every day life is forcing us to put some of our priorities on the back burner, we still find ourselves forging on through our busyness without taking time to think about how we should be spending our time, or who we should be spending it with.

I came face to face with this thought a few months ago as explained in today’s Proverbs 31 Encouragement for Today devotion called “What If I Don’t Get Any More Tomorrows?”  I had experienced a troubling situation on an airplane which caused me to consider if I had been spending my time wisely lately. Like, on the things that mattered most. Or intentionally living out my priorities, not just my responsibilities. Or my relationship with Christ. Or with the people who were most important to me.

While still in the air, I had had plenty of time to think about my priorities and what changes I needed to make in my own life, and when I returned home, I spent time with God asking for His guidance in helping me live more intentionally, not just busily.

I wanted to share few of the scriptures that spoke to me during my time of reflection, in the hopes that maybe if God has been nudging your spirit about living more intentionally in any or all areas of your life, that some of these tips and verses might speak to your heart too.

Put God first, no matter how busy you are, and everything else will fall into place.
Matthew 6:33 But seek first his kingdom and his righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well. (NLT)

Tell your spouse you love and appreciate him/her every day.
1 Thessalonians 5:11a Therefore encourage one another and build each other up…. (NIV)

Take your children’s faith seriously and actively, daily, and intentionally prepare them for a life grounded in Christ.
Deuteronomy 6:6 Write these commandments that I’ve given you today on your hearts. Get them inside of you and then get them inside your children. (MSG)

Don’t take a single day for granted. Fill your days focusing on the people and tasks that are most important to you. 
Psalm 90:12 Teach us to number our days, that we may gain a heart of wisdom. (NIV)

Spend your days doing something you are passionate about. This not only brings joy, but the difference we make is our legacy that lingers when all of our tomorrows are over. 
Ephesians 5:15-16 Don’t waste your time on useless work, mere busywork, the barren pursuits of darkness. Expose these things for the sham they are. It’s a scandal when people waste their lives on things they must do in the darkness where no one will see. Rip the cover off those frauds and see how attractive they look in the light of Christ. (MSG)

Has God been whispering to your heart that you may need to pause, pray and readjust some priorities? Have you been pulled into a life of busyness, and possibly pushed some of your priorities to the back burner?