As women, we are often bombarded with what we should set as our top priorities in life. Typically, the list goes as follows:

If you have children, they ring in at the top because, well, that’s just how it goes.
Your marriage. Happy wife, happy life.
Yourself. Self-care is key, right? This is often portrayed in the form of working out, eating healthy, or spa-days.
Keeping up appearance…wouldn’t want Betty Lou across the pew to think you’re a heathen.
Social justice. If you get to it or have the budget, there are a variety of organizations seeking for you to take action.

I am not sure where we went wrong, but my have we got it all mixed up! Our tippity-top priority should forever be cultivating our relationship with God and glorifying Him with our lives.

That’ll preach!

So what does it look like to put God at the top of our list? Here’s a simple look into our new priorities:

God. In every sense, inviting Him into our every day and growing closer to Him.
Marriage. Forever growing as one together, because Jesus is at the center.
Children. Helping them to navigate life, guiding them in the ways God intended.
Social Justice. Whatever you do for the least of these, you do for Him.
Yourself. Learning to love yourself is the only way God’s love can overflow from you.

Notice how the first priority bleeds into the others? That’s no accident! Once you allow God to lead, He will do just that and you’ll find your priorities become more centered on Him rather than the dreaded list itself.

“Do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewal of your mind, that by testing you may discern what is the will of God, what is good and acceptable and perfect.” (Romans 12:2, English Standard Version)

We can all agree that having “priorities” in life has been stressful, to say the least. Putting emphasis on things can create quite the headache, especially when you try to leave God out of the equation.

“Then I considered all that my hands had done and the toil I had expended in doing it, and behold, all was vanity and a striving after wind, and there was nothing to be gained under the sun.” (Ecclesiastes 2:11, ESV)

So what can we do? Invite Him into all areas and moments of our lives, whether we would like to or not.

“I have set the Lord always before me; because he is at my right hand, I shall not be shaken. Therefore my heart is glad, and my whole being rejoices; my flesh also dwells secure. For you will not abandon my soul to Sheol, or let your holy one see corruption. You make known to me the path of life; in your presence there is fullness of joy; at your right hand are pleasures forevermore.” (Psalm 16:8-11, ESV)

And what is a priority list without an end goal? Ultimately, we should strive to follow God’s word and praise Him in our day-to-day. This becomes easier with time as you switch your priorities and overall outlook on what is important, placing God at the root of it all.

“Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God. And the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus. Finally, brothers, whatever is true, whatever is honorable, whatever is just, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is commendable, if there is any excellence, if there is anything worthy of praise, think about these things.” (Philippians 4:6-8, ESV)

Each area of our lives should point back to God, regardless of where it is on our “priority” list because He is the only priority we need in our lives to successfully cultivate a life worthy of being called a daughter of God.

“But I do not account my life of any value nor as precious to myself, if only I may finish my course and the ministry that I received from the Lord Jesus, to testify to the gospel of the grace of God.” (Acts 20:24, ESV)

Priority