The story is told of Major Arthur Godfrey Peuchen, a wealthy Canadian man who survived the Titanic. After it struck the iceberg, he returned to his stateroom and, ignoring cash, jewellery, and other valuable possessions worth around $300,000, grabbed a favourite pearl pin and three oranges. Later, he was reported to have said, ‘The money seemed to be a mere mockery at that time.’ Circumstances transformed his values; tragedy clarified his priorities. The question is not will your calendar be full, but who will fill it and what will it be filled with? If you’re wise, you will consult God as to your life’s priorities, then keep them before you at all times (see Proverbs 3:6).

In a survey, people over ninety were asked, ‘If you had your life to live over, what would you do differently?’ Three answers constantly emerged:

1) I would spend more time with my family and friends.

2) I would try more things and take more risks.

3) I would give myself to something that would live on after I’m gone.

Petty things steal too much of our time, and we finish up living by the wrong priorities. If you say yes to every request, you will never get around to doing what God has called you to do. Paul had it figured out: ‘The most important thing is that I complete my mission, the work that the Lord Jesus gave me.’ A life in which anything goes is a life in which nothing goes. Your greatest challenge is thinking and doing things that ultimately matter. ‘Oh, that they were wise, that they understood this, that they would consider their latter end!’ (Deuteronomy 32:29 NKJV).