Do you feel like you live in a world that praises hustle, rewards busyness, and constantly demands more of you? As women of faith, we often feel the tension between wanting to serve well and needing space to rest, pray, and simply be. But God never called us to do everything – He calls us to do the right things, in the right order, with Him at the center.

So how do we set priorities in a world that pulls us in every direction? Scripture offers us plenty of models, two of which being Mary of Bethany, who chose stillness at the feet of Jesus, and the Proverbs 31 woman, who lived with strength, purpose, and wisdom. Together, they show us what it means to live with holy priorities.

Start at His Feet

In Luke 10:38-42, we read about a moment many of us can relate to. Jesus visits the home of Martha and Mary. Martha is busy serving, working hard preparing for her guest, while Mary sits at Jesus’ feet, listening to His words.

Martha, overwhelmed and frustrated, asks Jesus to tell Mary to help her. But His response is gentle and striking:

“Martha, Martha, you are anxious and troubled about many things, but one thing is necessary. Mary has chosen the better portion, and it will not be taken from her.” (Luke 10:41-42)

Before we rush into our day, before the emails, laundry, errands, or expectations – we need to start at His feet. Mary shows us that the one thing necessary is time with Jesus. That’s where priorities begin. Everything else flows from that place of peace and clarity.

Don’t Confuse Busyness with Faithfulness

Martha wasn’t doing something wrong. She was serving – but her heart was anxious and distracted. Sometimes we fill our calendars with good things but still feel spiritually dry, burned out, or resentful. That’s a sign our priorities might be off.

When we confuse busyness with faithfulness, we lose sight of what truly matters. God doesn’t ask us to do everything. He asks us to walk with Him, listen to Him, and respond to His promptings.

Ask yourself: Am I doing this out of love or out of pressure? Am I saying yes to God – or just trying to keep up?

A Woman of Ordered Priorities: Proverbs 31

The woman described in Provers 31 is active, wise, and diligent. She rises early, cares for her family, works with her hands, and serves her community. But none of this is rooted in striving – it’s rooted in reverence.

“Charm is deceitful, and beauty is vain, but a woman who fears the Lord is to be praised.” (Proverbs 31:30)

Her fear of the Lord – her relationship with God – is the foundation of her strength and success. She doesn’t waste time, but she also doesn’t idolize productivity. Her life is marked by purpose, not panic.

We often treat this passage like a checklist, but it’s really a portrait of a woman whose priorities are aligned with God’s wisdom.

Practical Ways to Set Holy Priorities

Here are a few simple ways to order your life with God at the center:

Begin with prayer. Even five minutes in the morning can anchor your whole day. Although some days it’s easy to just hit the snooze button and sleep in, make it a point to start your day in thorough prayer and ask God to order your steps.

Name your top three. Instead of a massive to-do list, identify three priorities for the day that align with your vocation and season of life.

Discern before saying yes. Not every good opportunity is meant for you. Take time to pray before committing.

Build in rest and worship. These are not extras – they are essential. God modeled rest. Jesus practiced solitude. So should we.

Make space for silence. Step away from the noise – social media, television, comparison, endless chatter – and listen for God’s quiet guidance. Maybe skip music on your commute to work or skip your nightly scroll.

Your Worth is Not in What You Do

At the root of disordered priorities is often a disordered sense of identity. We believe we have to earn love, prove ourselves, or meet every need. But Scripture tells us a difference story.

You are not valuable because of how productive you are. You are valuable because you are a beloved daughter of God. When you live from that truth, you begin to set priorities that reflect trust – not fear.

Setting priorities isn’t just about better time management – it’s about spiritual clarity. It’s choosing the better portion, like Mary. It’s living with wisdom and purpose, like the woman of Proverbs 31. It’s letting God shape your days, your decisions, and your direction.

You don’t have to do it all. You just have to do what God is calling you to do – today. And that is enough.