What Is Most Precious To You?

When you hear the question "what is most precious to you" what immediately comes to mind?

If someone were to ask you to create a list, where would you begin and what factors would you take into consideration when creating your list? Is it the monetary or sentimental value or do you view it as priceless?

1 Peter 2:4-5

As you come to him, the living Stone - rejected by men but chosen by God and precious to him you also like living stones, are being built into a spiritual house to be a holy priesthood, offering spiritual sacrifices acceptable to God through Jesus Christ.

When we have something valuable we tend to be more careful & gentle with it right? Perhaps we take extra measures to protect and keep it safe. How about your relationships, do you use the same intentional care with those or do you take them for granted?

There's a difference between being intentional and living on auto pilot and allowing excuses to prevent us from doing what God calls us to do. The choices we make every day can either strengthen our relationships or hinder them. We need to start asking ourselves if the people in our lives are valuable & worthy enough of this kind of extra care? We should be looking for ways to take better care of them and treasure them for their value and worth because nothing is guaranteed in this life, especially our time with them.

Perhaps some may put more value on materialistic things rather than relationships. If this is the case it would be wise to determine why that is.

Isaiah 43:4

Since you are precious and honored in my sight, and because I love you, I will give men in exchange for you, and people in exchange for your life.

What are some ways to be more intentional with our relationships?

• Self-reflection, every day take some time to think about your values and priorities. Ask yourself how your schedule, your spending habits and even your home life reflect this vision. If you’re not happy with the answers, think about what you need more or less of.

• Do one thing every day that shows your family & friends that you value them. Perhaps you call or text them, spend quality time with them. If it's your spouse or children give them a hug or a compliment, never underestimate the value of a touch or a kind word.

• Practice active listening, whomever we are talking to has our undivided attention. We're not listening to respond, we don't interrupt, we're listening without judgment. We maintain eye contact, we're paying attention to body language. We are listening to learn what is being conveyed, we summarize and repeat what was said to make sure you heard it correctly in order to avoid assuming something that is incorrect.

  • Ask questions often, its good to reflect on relationships from time to time, verify the direction it's going, make sure to keep an open dialog. Create safe place for both of you to talk openly without judgment. Ask what the other person's goals are in life, ask them what their dreams are and share yours. Perhaps you'll learn something new about each other, you can even determine how to best support each other in accomplishing their dreams. Don't diminish dreams just because you don't see their vision. Remember God gives each of us different dreams & opportunities to accomplish them.

  • Take care of yourself first. We can't help others when we are depleted so it's imperative that we learn the warning signs our bodies give us when we start to become depleted. Make sure you are creating time for your spiritual, physical and emotional needs.

If I were to make a list of what is most precious to me it would be:

My relationship with God, however, I've realized that I've allowed other distractions to pull me away from Him.

My family & friends, but God has also shown me where I am not putting in the effort or energy necessary, he's even shown where busyness has prevented me from reaching out.

My alone time & traveling, this is how I recharge my spirit and where I connect with God. I realized that I have allowed my schedule to get so busy that I don't take the necessary time I need to just replenish my spirit and to be with God.

Friends, today a precious little girl passed away only a few days after being born. My heart breaks for my friends family, this was just another reminder of just how precious life really is.

I hope we can all become more intentional with how we live our lives. Sometimes we need to hit the "pause" button and take inventory of how we're living and determine what excuses are preventing us from building relationships & doing what God calls us to do. I definitely need to make some changes that will put God above everything else, because when he's my #1 priority than I'm able to align myself with his plan for my life.

What changes do you need to make in your life that would allow God to be your #1 priority and your relationships a close 2nd?

Isaiah 43:1-2

But now, this is what the Lord says - he who created you, O Jacob, he who formed you O Israel; Fear not, for I have redeemed you; I have summoned you by name; you are mine. When you pass through the waters, I will be with you; and when you pass through rivers, they will not sweep over you. When you walk through the fire, you will not be burned; the flames will not set you ablaze.

Written by: Jill Theriault

Crossroads Coaching - @crossroadscoachingongodstime