I am reading a book by Carson Pue called Mentoring Leaders. In chapter 8 Pue writes about budgeting time and resources. One of the things he says is...
"Leaders need to understand that when the Lord gave us twenty-four hours in a day, he gave us all the time we need to do what he is calling us to do. So if you are as a leader are frazzled by busyness, it is time to examine closely the priorities of your life. If Jesus gives us enough time to do his will then being overly busy is suspect."
What Pue said resonates with me and I have come back to re-read this paragraph a number of times over the weekend.
This morning I read James 4 and in verses 13 to 17 James warns about self-confidence and self-reliance. I believe what James is talking about is not only about boasting in ourselves, but also living a life of driveness versus a life of calling. James says...
"Look here, you who say 'Today or tomorrow we are going to a certain town and will stay there a year. We will do business there and make a profit.' ... What you ought to say is "If the Lord want us to, we will live and do this or that."
I am a very driven person, I often have the mindset that "If I
don't...then it won't..." I've been waging war on this driviness within me for a few years. I want to be someone who is called by God into every good and perfect blessing that he has for me. I do not want to be someone who is consumed with making things happen for himself. I want to be someone who trusts on the promise of Jesus in Matthew 6 where he says, "See how the lilies of the field grow. They do not labor or spin.
Yet I tell you that not even Solomon in all his splendor was dressed like one of these.
If
that is how God clothes the grass of the field, which is here today and
tomorrow is thrown into the fire, will he not much more clothe you, O you of little faith?
So do not worry, saying, 'What shall we eat?' or 'What shall we drink?' or 'What shall we wear?'
For the pagans run after all these things, and your heavenly Father knows that you need them.
But seek first his kingdom and his righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well.
"
I have found that when I live a life that is driven...
- I make plans about where I want to be and when I want to get there...then I ask God to bless those plans
- I become consumed with achieving the goals and find little time for the other things in my life (family, fun, my spiritual well-being, health) and this results in feelings of guilt.
- My joy quotient is low, because I'm always focused on achieving the next thing and I get frustrated when I'm not achieving
- I am slow to grow in my relationship with God
But I've found that when I live a life that is called...
- I listen for God's calling and what is it the Lord wants
- I have time for it all...all that God has called me to do and be. (family, fun, spiritual well-being, health)
- My joy quotient is high, I enjoy the moment, knowing I am exactly where God has called me to be.
- I experience growth in my relationship with God.
Reading these two lists, who would want to be driven?
What Pue said resonated with me because I believe it to be true. What God has called us to do and be, He has also given us the time, energy and resources to accomplish. The longings that God has put in my heart can all be accomplished, I just need to listen to his calling and do his will.
Father, help me to be a person of calling always listening and obeying your will. Help me to put away the busyness and do what you would have me do.