My friend told me he was exhausted from constantly getting ready to do another task before he has completed the one he is working on, feeling behind before he starts the next thing, overwhelmed with it all. I understand. Been there, done that way too often. It's a struggle in today's world to keep balanced, living at a healthy pace. No one is exempt from being stressed. There's too many times, I've made the mistake of doing too much. I'm convinced being too busy will do nothing but make us too tired and eventually ineffective at the very thing we are meant to do. We are called to do specific things, to live an active and participative life; however, nothing is accomplished by frenzied activity.
I'm learning there's a different way to approach life, which creates an anticipation for the next thing rather than exhaustion.
Jesus was not saying, "Don't do anything." But. Jesus was saying to do life through Him, to be aware of His presence, to put Him first and foremost, to make our doing about Him. Whether it's from confusion or a lack of understanding, we often act as if spending time in worship, prayer, fasting, or mediation is a mandatory rule or an obligation rather than as the way to live the best life each day. In the end, setting aside time to purposefully put our focus on God changes how we view life, allowing us to see how minute the stuff actually is in comparison to Him.
So. When we spend time with Jesus, we advert being immersed in our stuff, worried about many things; spending time with Him is not about doing one more thing, but about living the best life, actively engaged with Jesus rather than the stuff.
Learning to Kickstart the day by doing only what's needed,
Kerrie
(written by Kerrie Carlisle Palmer © 2011 ALL RIGHTS RESERVED)
I'm learning there's a different way to approach life, which creates an anticipation for the next thing rather than exhaustion.
The thing is . . . there's momentum and energy when we're thinking and getting ready for the next thing . . . if, we're doing only what is ours to do, if, we've said no when we need to say no, if, we've simplified our task list to the important things, if, we live free from the burden of doing too much by spending time with God first.Consider.
But Martha was distracted by all the preparations that had to be made. She came to him and asked, “Lord, don’t you care that my sister has left me to do the work by myself? Tell her to help me!”
“Martha, Martha,” the Lord answered, “you are worried and upset about many things, but few things are needed—or indeed only one. Mary has chosen what is better, and it will not be taken away from her.” (Luke 10: 40-42, NIV).This is a great conversation with Jesus. I love the fact that Martha wants Jesus to give her value by seeing how much more she does than her sister. Seriously, it's a conversation any of us could be in-- we are rewarded in our culture for the amount of work we do--work long and hard enough and we will get a plaque or at least a certificate for our effort. Jesus made it clear--life is about being in a relationship with Him. Martha had been distracted and worried about many things, missing out on being with Jesus. These words of Jesus resonate with me, "But few things are needed--or indeed one."
Jesus was not saying, "Don't do anything." But. Jesus was saying to do life through Him, to be aware of His presence, to put Him first and foremost, to make our doing about Him. Whether it's from confusion or a lack of understanding, we often act as if spending time in worship, prayer, fasting, or mediation is a mandatory rule or an obligation rather than as the way to live the best life each day. In the end, setting aside time to purposefully put our focus on God changes how we view life, allowing us to see how minute the stuff actually is in comparison to Him.
So. When we spend time with Jesus, we advert being immersed in our stuff, worried about many things; spending time with Him is not about doing one more thing, but about living the best life, actively engaged with Jesus rather than the stuff.
What's so important that we are willing to do it without Him? When we live in the reality of His presence, we are enabled to simplify, to do what's needed and matters.
- Do what's needed and matters.
- Spend time first with God before you begin doing the tasks of the day. Enjoy His presence.
- Let go of what's not yours to do.
- Do only what you know God has given you to do today.
- Thank God for the work of the day.
Learning to Kickstart the day by doing only what's needed,
Kerrie
(written by Kerrie Carlisle Palmer © 2011 ALL RIGHTS RESERVED)