There’s a Bible verse that says make the most of our days because our days are numbered.

As I ponder that verse, I believe I’ve Americanized it and have completely missed its point. You see, I read that verse and immediately begin to think about all the things I need to cram into every minute of every day…so I can make the most of it.

But I don’t think that is what it means at all. In fact, I believe that’s exactly the opposite of what it means. What if “making the most of each day” really means to be present in the moment? What if it means we need to stop much of our “doing” and just “be”?

The reason I cram way too much into my day is because I lose sight of what is most important…relationships. Being present is what really matters.

I recently watched a video talking about prioritizing our tasks. The idea was to draw two lines on a page splitting the page into four boxes. The top two boxes are for our top two goals. The bottom left box is for goal number three. This is all well and good, but it was the bottom right box that’s really the most important. He called it “the devil’s vortex”. This is where you write down all those things that you’ll want to do, but that will keep you from doing what’s most important.

You see, across the top of the page you write out your “Divine Purpose”. Then the three goals are those things that you do during the week that are helping you live your purpose. And the devil’s vortex are all those things that will distract you from your purpose. You write them down, and then you avoid them like the plague, so that you can stay focused on what matters most.

For me, when I really thought about what matters most, my family had to go in box one. I want to be intentional about spending time with the ones I love the most.

Number two was “Sharing a clear Gospel message with as many people as possible.” This, too, will take great intentionality.

And number three pays the bills and puts food on the table. I need to maintain a CPA practice that serves my clients well. The more I can help them succeed, the more I will succeed (in a business sense).

But if any of this is going to truly be done well, I need to make the most of every day. Not doing a million different things, but focusing in on what matters most and being fully present.

What about you?

What’s your Divine Purpose? What’s in your Devil’s Vortex? Focus on living the first; avoid the latter.

How will you make the most of every day with what’s most important?