Join me, as we venture into a Biblical look at 7 priorities for Christian women, and detailed on what to make a priority in order to have a well ordered home.
As women, we have a heavy responsibility to care for many things at once. We need to balance our relationship with Jesus, our home, work, marriage, children, chores…but how do we know we are balancing our lives well? Join me, as we venture into a Biblical look at ordering our priorities as Christian women.
Finding Balance for a Well Ordered Home
What is it about our lives that make us feel so overwhelmed? So stimulated? So stressed and disordered? Could it be taking on too many tasks? Caring for too many people? Working too many hours? Or even being influenced by social media? Instead of asking yourself, “Why am I so overwhelmed?” ask, “How can I build a life for myself and my family that is balanced?”
Women have been well known for our ability to multitask. Even if you don’t feel like you’re good at it, if you look closely, you will see all the the things and people you have to do and care simultaneously. Whether you are a student, a mom, or an empty nester, there are and will be times in your life that you feel overwhelmed with tasks, challenges, and an abundance of responsibilities.
Think About It
If you took time to think about everything you have accomplished today, or even if the week, you would most likely find that you had to care for others while also caring for things, or things cared for things, while working for others. It is very tricky to live a life in which you don’t feel overwhelmed. The good news is, the Bible provides us the guide for how to live a Christian life, a life worth living for.
Don’t let having a balanced life be confused with having a life without stress. Having balance doesn’t eliminate stress, rather minimizes it. In order to see and understand from an external perspective how a home functions well and orderly, one must look internally to see what are the driving factors that influence it. Below, you will find a daily checklist for maintaining a well ordered home. Once your priorities are balanced, you will be able to establish a well ordered and well managed home that is a direct reflection of your priorities.
Priority 1: Your Relationship With God
How can you live a balanced life, with ordered priorities, if you do not focus first and foremost on your relationship with God? Jesus tells us in the Gospel of John,
“I am the vine, you are the branches. Those who abide in me and I in them bear much fruit, because apart from me you can do nothing.” John 15:5
Read those words carefully. “APART FROM ME YOU CAN DO NOTHING.” We cannot expect to be productive, to be balanced, or to even live a purposeful life if we are not abiding in Jesus.
What does it mean to abide?
The word abide means, “to dwell”, “be present”, or “to remain as one”. Although the Bible is complex and grand, the teaching is quite simple. Jesus is telling us we must continuously receive Him and His Word, believe in Him, and trust that He will care for us .
Abiding in Jesus takes continuous effort and intentionality. It is not always easy, it’s not always convenient, and it’s not always quick. To have a true relationship with God, you must put in the time and energy. You have to spend time getting to know Jesus (reading the Bible), spend time talking to Him (praying), and sharing your heart (what is going on in your life, the good, the bad, and the ugly). Jesus tells us in the book of Revelation,
“Listen! I am standing at the door, knocking; if you hear my voice and open the door, I will come in to you and eat with you, and you with me.” Revelation 3:20
What does this look like in real life?
How this could look realistically is dedicating 15 minutes (or how ever long you can) of your time to be with God through Scripture or prayer. It’s not about how long or how often, it’s about intention. God knows if you are home with little children and barely getting quiet time. God knows if you are working long hours to provide for your family. But God also know if you are choosing earthly tasks or pleasures above Him (watching TV / YouTube, scrolling on your phone, laying on the couch, working on a home project, shopping, etc.)
Be realistic with yourself, for God already knows. For what you make an idol over God (anything or anyone you care about, put more time and thought into, or prioritize over God), goes against God’s Commandment, the words written in Scripture, and the life God created you to have.
“No one can serve two masters; for a slave will either hate the one and love the other, or be devoted to the one and despise the other. You cannot serve God and wealth.” Matthew 6:24
Priority 2: Your Conversion of Heart
When you have made your relationship with God your first priority, truly what you are dedicated most to, then you must prioritize your heart. You now know the Words of God, are in communion with Him, and want an everlasting relationship with Him, but what next? You must live out your faith. Let me repeat that, YOU MUST LIVE OUT YOUR FAITH. It is NOT enough to have an intellectual belief in Jesus. You must live out your faith through love.
What does this mean? This means that you must change your sinful ways, and continuously work hard to fight temptations, sinful thoughts and situations, and chose to live for Christ and NOT the world. The Lord tells us,
“A new heart I will give you, and a new spirit I will put within you; and I will remove from your body the heart of stone and give you a heart of flesh.“ Ezekiel 36:26
God has given us a helper from above, the Holy Spirit. If we allow Him, He will remove our hearts of stone, and give us a heart like His. Paul tells us in the letter to the Romans,
“Do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your minds, so that you may discern what is the will of God—what is good and acceptable and perfect.” Romans 12:2
“For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also.” Luke 12:34
Priority 3: Your Marriage
When you have acknowledged the work and repentance that needs to be done on YOUR OWN end, in order to prevent or mend the broken relationship you have with God, then you can prioritize your marriage. A marriage without the foundation of Jesus, the essence of love and forgiveness, is like a house built on sand.
“Everyone then who hears these words of mine and acts on them will be like a wise man who built his house on rock. The rain fell, the floods came, and the winds blew and beat on that house, but it did not fall, because it had been founded on rock. And everyone who hears these words of mine and does not act on them will be like a foolish man who built his house on sand.” Matthew 7:24-26
Without accepting the mercy of Jesus, and following His commandments, especially to forgive one another, a marriage will never prosper. It will root itself in selfishness, while blaming the other when problems arise. To prioritize your marriage, you must deny yourself. You must see your husband as Jesus sees him, with compassion, understanding, and forgiveness.
What has God ask of marriage, specially a wife?
“Therefore a man leaves his father and his mother and clings to his wife, and they become one flesh.” Genesis 2:24
“Let marriage be held in honor by all, and let the marriage bed be kept undefiled; for God will judge fornicators and adulterers.” Hebrews 13:4
“Wives, be subject to your husbands as you are to the Lord. For the husband is the head of the wife just as Christ is the head of the church, the body of which he is the Savior.” Ephesians 5:22-23
“Each of you, however, should love his wife as himself, and a wife should respect her husband.” Ephesians 5:33
“Wives, be subject to your husbands, as is fitting in the Lord.” Colossians 3:18
“Happy is the husband of a good wife;
the number of his days will be doubled.
A loyal wife brings joy to her husband,
and he will complete his years in peace.
A good wife is a great blessing;
she will be granted among the blessings of the man who fears the Lord.
Whether rich or poor, his heart is content,
and at all times his face is cheerful.” Sirach 26:1-4
“A wife’s charm delights her husband,
and her skill puts flesh on his bones.
A silent wife is a gift from the Lord,
and nothing is so precious as her self-discipline.
A modest wife adds charm to charm,
and no scales can weigh the value of her chastity.
Like the sun rising in the heights of the Lord,
so is the beauty of a good wife in her well-ordered home.” Sirach 26:13-16
Priority 4: Your Children
God tells us that the greatest blessing that we can receive is children. However, children should not be a priority before or higher than your husband. With the many needs of children, we can often feel burned out, stressed, and exhausted, leaving little to no time to want to care for and tend to our husbands. BUT (get this)…when we are obedient to the Lord, keeping His commandments, we receive peace. When we follow the priority list of God, Husband, Children, God will provide the peace, energy, and motivation we need to care for ALL of the things we need to.
Scripture Verses
“He answered, “Have you not read that the one who made them at the beginning ‘made them male and female,’ and said, ‘For this reason a man shall leave his father and mother and be joined to his wife, and the two shall become one flesh’? So they are no longer two, but one flesh. Therefore what God has joined together, let no one separate.” Matthew 19:4-6
“God blessed them, and God said to them, “Be fruitful and multiply, and fill the earth and subdue it; and have dominion over the fish of the sea and over the birds of the air and over every living thing that moves upon the earth.” Genesis 1:28
“But I want you to understand that Christ is the head of every man, and the husband is the head of his wife, and God is the head of Christ.” 1 Corinthians 11:3
We better understand in these verses that God made man, then women, and then through their love and a gift from above, children. Man and woman are one, and children are an inheritance from the Lord.
“Children are indeed a heritage from the Lord,
the fruit of the womb a reward.
Like arrows in the hand of a warrior
are the sons of one’s youth.
Happy is the man who has
his quiver full of them.
He shall not be put to shame
when he speaks with his enemies in the gate.” Proverbs 127:3-5
Blessing For Obedience
“’When you act as midwives to the Hebrew women, and see them on the birthstool, if it is a boy, kill him; but if it is a girl, she shall live.’ But the midwives feared God; they did not do as the king of Egypt commanded them, but they let the boys live. So the king of Egypt summoned the midwives and said to them, ‘Why have you done this, and allowed the boys to live?’ The midwives said to Pharaoh, ‘Because the Hebrew women are not like the Egyptian women; for they are vigorous and give birth before the midwife comes to them.’ So God dealt well with the midwives; and the people multiplied and became very strong. And because the midwives feared God, he gave them families.” Exodus 1:16-21
As the Israelite population grew, Pharaoh became worried and ordered the midwives to kill the baby boys. Despite the slavery that they were being forced into, God continued to bless them with children. We can see from the Exodus 1:21, the reward for the midwives due to their fear of the Lord, and not killing the baby boys is growth of their own families. Of all things, God gave them children.
Our children should be a priority, where we sacrifice in many and all ways. However, you should be putting in more effort and sacrifice towards your relationship with God, then your husband, than your children.
Priority 5: Your Home
After you have prioritized God and your family, you can then prioritize your home. Although your home is lower on the priority list, you are still called to create a God-honoring space of safety and love.
I have written a few posts centered around creating a beautiful and Biblical home for your family.
- Christian Homemaking 101
- Living a Slow Christian Lifestyle
- Create a Scripture Inspired Home Atmosphere
- Create a Christ Centered Home
“By wisdom a house is built,
and by understanding it is established;
by knowledge the rooms are filled
with all precious and pleasant riches.” Proverbs 24:3-4
“My people will abide in a peaceful habitation,
in secure dwellings, and in quiet resting places.” Isaiah 32:18
“Now if you are unwilling to serve the Lord, choose this day whom you will serve, whether the gods your ancestors served in the region beyond the River or the gods of the Amorites in whose land you are living; but as for me and my household, we will serve the Lord.” Joshua 24:15
“The Lord’s curse is on the house of the wicked,
but he blesses the abode of the righteous.” Proverbs 3:33
“Now therefore may it please you to bless the house of your servant, so that it may continue forever before you; for you, O Lord God, have spoken, and with your blessing shall the house of your servant be blessed forever.” 2 Samuel 7:29
Priority 6: Your Vocation
You may be wondering why your vocation (an occupation you are drawn or “called” to) would be prioritized under your home, especially if your vocation is serving to others. If you look around your home (your decorations, your belongings, the food in your cupboard, the messes or lack of messes around the house, etc.) you will see what you care about, and how you care for them. How your house looks (and I’m not talking fancy and “Pinterest” worthy, rather your choice in lifestyle) is a direct reflection of how you live your life. Reflections how you care for the blessings you have, and what is most important to you.
How you live your life must be addressed and prioritized before you go out and do God’s work (or the lack there is). How can you go out (or even stay home) and serve the Lord if your home is not centered around Him?
Call to Vocation
God calls us each to a special vocation and work of ministry. He sets our hearts on fire for different causes and problems amidst our society and world. Your vocation is an opportunity for you to evangelize and bring others to Jesus. It is also a place where you can surrender your own will, desires, and pleasures, and serve others.
Jesus Said
“You did not choose me but I chose you. And I appointed you to go and bear fruit, fruit that will last, so that the Father will give you whatever you ask him in my name.” John 15:16
“The Spirit of the Lord is upon me,
because he has anointed me
to bring good news to the poor.
He has sent me to proclaim release to the captives
and recovery of sight to the blind,
to let the oppressed go free,
to proclaim the year of the Lord’s favor.” Luke 4:18-19
The Apostle’s Said
“However that may be, let each of you lead the life that the Lord has assigned, to which God called you. This is my rule in all the churches.” 1 Corinthians 7:17
“I therefore, the prisoner in the Lord, beg you to lead a life worthy of the calling to which you have been called, with all humility and gentleness, with patience, bearing with one another in love, making every effort to maintain the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace.” Ephesians 4:1-3
“For as in one body we have many members, and not all the members have the same function, so we, who are many, are one body in Christ, and individually we are members one of another. We have gifts that differ according to the grace given to us: prophecy, in proportion to faith; ministry, in ministering; the teacher, in teaching; the exhorter, in exhortation; the giver, in generosity; the leader, in diligence; the compassionate, in cheerfulness.” Romans 12:4-8
“…for the gifts and the calling of God are irrevocable.” Romans 11:29
“Whatever your task, put yourselves into it, as done for the Lord and not for your masters, since you know that from the Lord you will receive the inheritance as your reward; you serve the Lord Christ.” Colossians 3:23-34
Priority 7: Converting the World
Last but not least, priority number 7: converting the world. This isn’t the “lowest” priority because it is the least significant, it is the lowest priority based on the importance of the others to come before, or at least simultaneously. It is important to note that even though these priorities are numbered as though they have to go in stages, many of these priorities come together based solely on having priority number 1 (your relationship with God), truly your number 1 priority. For example, you may be bringing others to Christ (converting the world) during your vocation or while you are staying at home with your children. As your relationship and knowledge of God grows, so will your desire to live making all 7 priorities foundational in your life.
Jesus Said
“And he said to them, “Go into all the world and proclaim the good news to the whole creation.” Mark 16:15
“Go therefore and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, and teaching them to obey everything that I have commanded you. And remember, I am with you always, to the end of the age.” Matthew 28:19-20
“Then he said to his disciples, ‘The harvest is plentiful, but the laborers are few; therefore ask the Lord of the harvest to send out laborers into his harvest.’” Matthew 9:37-38
The Apostle’s Said
“But even if you do suffer for doing what is right, you are blessed. Do not fear what they fear, and do not be intimidated, but in your hearts sanctify Christ as Lord. Always be ready to make your defense to anyone who demands from you an accounting for the hope that is in you; yet do it with gentleness and reverence.” 1 Peter 3:14-16
“For I am not ashamed of the gospel; it is the power of God for salvation to everyone who has faith, to the Jew first and also to the Greek.” Romans 1:16
Related Posts
- Living a Slow Christian Lifestyle
- Homemakers, Live a Holy Life 1 Peter 1
- Homemaking With a Servant Heart
- The Beatitudes of Homemakers
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