I recently had an enlightening conversation with a mentor, someone I deeply admire for how he lives out his priorities. We spoke about the constant struggle to balance the competing responsibilities in life – family, work, ministry, self-care – and properly prioritize what matters most.
He stressed the importance of embracing the specific roles God uniquely designed us for. He said, “You need to be what only you can be. The husband to your wife, the father to your family, the caretaker for your parents. These are the things only you can do. Every other priority in life must fall below the things only you have been called to do.”
His words resonated deeply, as I often feel pulled in many directions. But he was right – our most essential callings come from the relationships and responsibilities God entrusted to us alone. When we prioritize living out our irreplaceable purposes, everything else tends to fall into place.
The Call to Be Who God Made You to Be
God has called every person to fulfill a specific role and purpose that no one else can replace. As Paul writes in 1 Corinthians 7:17, “Only let each person lead the life that the Lord has assigned to him, and to which God has called him.” We each have a special place to grow where God has planted us.
Part of worshiping God is discovering and embracing His unique callings for our lives. We honor God when we steward our unique gifts and fulfill the roles only we can – right where we are.
As Ephesians 2:10 tells us, “We are God’s handiwork, created in Christ Jesus to do good works, which God prepared in advance for us to do.” God made each of us for a purpose. Discovering that purpose brings joy and glorifies our Creator.
Prioritizing Your Primary Callings
While we all juggle many responsibilities, our most essential callings come from the irreplaceable roles God designed for us as spouses, parents, children, and more. These primary callings in our families and close relationships should take priority in our lives. Right now, no one else is called to be the husband to my wife, the father to my children, or the pastor to my congregation. God has entrusted me with these unique responsibilities for this season of life.
The Bible speaks directly to many of our most central callings. Husbands are called to sacrificial love and leadership (Eph 5:25-28). Wives are called to respectful partnership (Eph 5:33). Parents are given the charge to teach and nurture their children in the faith (Deut 6:6-7). Adult children are urged to honor their parents (Ex 20:12).
We act as God designed when we put these primary roles at the center, ordering our lives around these special callings.
Making God’s Will Our Top Priority
While our unique callings are vital, the ultimate purpose for every Christian is living out God’s will. His plans must take priority over all else. When we “But seek first his kingdom and his righteousness” (Matt 6:33) as Jesus instructed, everything else follows.
Loving and obeying God must be first. As Jesus said, the greatest commandment is “Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind and with all your strength” (Mark 12:30).
When we put God’s will first over even our most cherished roles, our priorities naturally align with our purpose.
Living Out Our Priorities Every Day
With so many responsibilities and opportunities, how do we practically live out our highest callings every day? Here are a few tips:
- Evaluate how you spend your time. Does it align with your primary purposes?
- Schedule your week intentionally around your top priorities.
- Where possible, delegate roles to others that don’t require your unique gifts.
- Guard your time for family and calling. Learn to say no.
- Be fully present wherever you are – don’t let one role distract from another.
- Ask God for wisdom and strength to walk faithfully in every role.
It can be difficult, but reordering our lives around our deepest callings honors God and brings joy and purpose.
This could look like changing jobs to have more flexibility for family or leaving lesser hobbies behind to develop relationships with God. In both cases, sacrifices are needed to align with priorities.
Bloom Where God Has Planted You
God calls us to fulfill irreplaceable purposes right where we are. First, we must discover those primary callings – spouses, parents, children, etc. Ordering our lives around these essential roles is an act of worship.
But ultimately, we must seek God’s will above all else. When we put Him first, our other priorities fall into place. We can find our deepest gladness when our unique gifts intersect with the needs only we can meet.
Josh Cehulik 