4 Guidelines to Prioritize Commitments
- Marlene Bierworth
- Mar 20, 2017
- 2 min read
Commitment in Marriage and Life: Today and Always
It has been said that a successful marriage is made up of:
Two forgiving people
Two committed people
Two great friends
Two respectful people
Two fighters
Two lovers
Today we will talk about commitments. Although commitments may be a choice in many areas of life, within your marriage and family you’ve already made the choice: You are committed. Of your own free will, you exchanged vows and committed to family. So, it is reasonable to assume that the things that fill your day should include activities that grow relationship.
In our society today, the “C” word is one many people either choose to avoid or put off from sheer overload. It is false to assume that if you commit to become involved once that you are forced to commit every single time. Wipe the word sucker off your forehead. Life is made up of choices.
So, what guidelines do you use to prioritize your commitments?
Goals: You and your spouse have a list of goals, right? Short and long term dreams that you are working to accomplish. Goals that include home, family, careers, social, finance, fun and work… It’s your list, so target it specifically to the needs and desires of your individual family unit. Now, with list in mind decide if this new commitment you are considering falls into line with these goals, or perhaps proposes a reason to re-evaluate and add to your ever-growing list? If you both say yes, then go for it and move into the next step of living the dream. Success will come one step at a time.
Time: Another point to consider is do you have time for this new commitment? If it causes undue stress for the family, re-think it. If it is simply does not fit into the already tight schedule, say no for now. It doesn’t have to be no forever… or perhaps you’ll be relieved to discover it was just a momentary fad that no one missed being involved in at all.
Family Focus: Major priority here. We need to stay flexible with our personal life goals to allow focus for the group things that matter: family, and creating wonderful memories together. These commitments are worth making time for.
Eternal: All activities and commitments can be measured and balanced by a temporal or eternal scale. Consider the benefits from this commitment and determine if they will last beyond your lifespan and into eternity. Or is it simply filling precious time with activities that provide temporal value only? Please note... you can live for the moment and still reap eternal results. Be creative. Lastly, be wise as you plan what you will commit to, and not only relational benefits will store up, but even the earthly treasures accumulated will provide an eternal benefit to others you chose to bless.
Commitment to your partner is your top priority if you want a successful marriage. Let your union bear witness to that truth and you will leave a legacy for all those who have passed through your circle of influence. With rejoicing, they will declare for generations to come, “The world was a better place because you touched their lives.” That’s a commitment worth striving for.
Have a blessed day,
Marlene.
