Professional athletes and coaches face monumental decisions as they enter their arena of sport. Their choices and decisions can set the trajectory of their careers and their lives. Some set their sights on maximum financial gain, some on ensuring they are on the best winning team, while others may seek more noble pursuits. It all centers on what the coach or athlete considers the highest priority and what they value the most.

The same is true for our lives. What we value as most important determines how we spend our time and resources. It frames our world, guides our decisions and governs our choices. It forces us to prioritize the many, so we can accomplish the few that make the greatest impact in achieving our goals. 

As a simple example, consider your morning thought process. At the start of your day, where does your mind go? Most likely, on all the things that need to be done that day, being mindful of which ones are most important. Prioritization allows us to assess what matters most and giving those things the right amount of our attention and time.

Athletes juggle academics, training and competing, along with many other outside activities, responsibilities and life choices. Coaches have families to serve, a career that can often be consuming, pressure to win and both internal and external expectations to meet. Balancing these variables can leave us overwhelmed, overworked and overloaded.

The solution to find balance and peace is found in God’s Word. Using the Bible as our guide provides the foundation for setting priorities. It teaches us to put God first in every area of our lives, value relationships over material possessions, and strive for spiritual growth above worldly success. 

The account of Martha and Mary in Luke 10:38-42 is an excellent example of focusing on what matters most and placing priority of the important over the urgent. Martha was activity driven, busy with important things, but Mary was relationally driven, sitting at Jesus’ feet and listening to Him. Jesus says, “Martha, you are worried and distracted by many things; there is need of only one thing. Mary has chosen the better part” (v.41-42). Jesus proclaims the priority, the “one thing”. 

Jesus also addresses what matters most when asked what the greatest commandment was. His response, “Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind and with all your strength.’ The second is this: ‘Love your neighbor as yourself.’ There is no commandment greater than these” (Mark 12:30-31). Our highest priority and continual mindset is to love God and love others.

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