By Carl Nichols

Leading a church that meets in a portable facility, is in the middle of an initiative to build a permanent home, is dreaming of and planning for our first satellite campus, and being highly involved in a national church planting movement means I am often asked,  “How do you keep priorities in order?”  Recently at Relevant, we took a hard look at the way we live our lives and attempted to push people to get out of the hamster wheel of life. The challenge was to take a step back, put everything on the table, and allow God to manage your schedule. This is something my wife Julie and I have worked hard at over the last few years, and I thought I would share a few principles with you.  Watch the illustration below and then read the 10 principles to help you keep your rocks in the right order.

Ten “Big Rock” Principles

1. God is first priority. This has to be true in every part of our lives. Our time. Our relationships. Our family. Our finances. If he’s not first in all of them, he isn’t first in any of them. The Gospel is not a pick and choose gospel.
2. Priority determines capacity.  If I know what my big rocks are, then I can prioritize them accordingly. There has to be a time when we empty the jar and start all over.
3. Values determine priority. One of my mentors once said, “When you have clearly defined your mission and values, 80 percent of all decisions are already made.” We have a family covenant that includes our mission and values that we weigh everything against. This takes time and effort to develop.
4. The important must trump the urgent.  It can be difficult not to live in the moment and do the easy thing when things get a little hectic. Having clear values helps keep first things first.
5. Never underestimate the power of any decision. Sometimes small, insignificant decisions really have a much larger impact than first realized. Before making any decision ask, “How much is this going to cost me over time?”
6. Every family member has a voice. I care what my wife and children enjoy and value, and those things have become a part of our family covenant
7. Nothing is off limits. Nothing. Nada. Nil. Zero. Naught.
8. We think counter-culturally. Generally, when culture tells us one thing, the Scriptures teach us another. We evaluate everything based on our biblical worldview. Some examples of these things include our decisions to homeschool, give 30 percent of our income away, and pay cash for everything.
9. I only have one life to live. That’s it. When it is over, it is over and I can’t get a mulligan. It passes much faster than I am happy with!
10. I will answer to God for it ALL. We’ve come full circle. This is the premise for the previous nine!

Ephesians 5:15-17 – “Be very careful, then, how you live—not as unwise but as wise, making the most of every opportunity, because the days are evil. Therefore do not be foolish, but understand what the Lord’s will is.”