Patterns and Priorities

Our patterns and priorities define the way we live and the results we experience.

Both require deliberate configuration - a conscious and intentional structure - that intentionally aligns us with our 'North Star', our guiding values and principles as first outlined in the word of God.

If left to chance or random expression, our patterns and priorities will sill evolve, but will do so unconsciously into undesired outcomes.

It is best then to constructively create and acknowledge the patterns you desire to be entrenched in your life and to establish clarity around your priorities.

As a starting point, it may be helpful to categorize your priorities in ways meaningful to you. Generic groupings, acceptable to many, may not effectively capture your areas of required focus.

Truthfully and realistically outlining your priorities in these areas of focus, is a genuine foundational pillar to effecting meaningful progress.

Vain Priorities

It is advisable, however, to avoid establishing priorities solely in a mundane, self-centric vacuum. Our priorities must align with our true purpose and God's desired will within a specific season. This will require seeking God for clarity, direction, wisdom and confirmation.

This framework is evident in the biblical teaching in Psalm 127: 1-2 which states:

"Except the Lord builds the house, they labor in vain who build it; except the Lord keeps the city, the watchman wakes but in vain.

It is vain for you to rise up early, to take rest late, to eat the bread of [anxious] toil—for He gives [blessings] to His beloved in sleep." (Amplified Bible Version)

The understanding therefore, is that priorities, even though they may be full of worldly integrity, well-intentioned and potentially positive - if established and upheld outside of God's will and directive - will most likely end up in futility.

By extension, the patterns followed in an attempt to maintain vain priorities, may also yield very little.

Optimizing Results via Patterns

Patterns, by definition are consistent, and must remain so to be 'effective'. Good patterns create stability and predictable results. Bad patterns also create consistent and predictable negative results.

To optimally function, generally accepted research findings have revealed that the brain "reallocates" predictable, repetitive activity to the subconscious mind. In other words, with little deliberate thought and action, negative patterns, when entrenched will replay themselves in our lives.

They will also continue indefinitely if there is no conscious intervention, executed consistently and methodically.

Calling Them by Name

An important component therefore in optimizing our results along the path to self-actualization, is truthfully identifying our patterns. Call them by name to see them clearly for what they are.

What kinds of results consistently emerge in our lives and what are the patterns that have led to them?

What do we deliberately or unconsciously think, say and/or do that lead to the favourable outcomes we value or that lead to the negative results we have no desire to repeat?

What are our patterns?

Do we like our current outcomes? Where would we desire to see changes?

Potentially Offensive

Taking a sincere look at our patterns may open us up to insights we never previously considered, and may even be alarming - potentially offensive! It will take a strong degree of honesty to really experience value from your introspection. New insights, new thinking, together with new ways of being and new action will catalyze new results.

Within a framework of priorities that are aligned with God's will, developing positive patterns in our lives can lead to a powerful momentum of positive change. As the Bible teaches:

"Do not conform to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God’s will is—his good, pleasing and perfect will." - Romans 12:2

Since nobody is perfect, there is room for each of us to examine ourselves to ensure that our priorities and our patterns exemplify God's will and His wisdom.

Blessings,

Catique.