This morning I have a feeling that most of us share all too frequently..."AHHHHHHHH!".
Yesterday, I took the day off. I wish it were because my children were home from school for a holiday (which they were). I wish it were to spend time with my wife. Instead, I had a date with my bed and the epic movie "Ben Hur". I had caught a "bug" and spent the entire day covered up in a quilt while dozing in and out. I think I caught all the high points of the movie in between naps.
Regardless, this morning I find myself a bit overwhelmed by what was already a calendar filled with meetings, tasks, and my weekly to-do's. Take away one of the days and a hectic week gets compounded seemingly exponentially. How in the world do I do all of this?
The answer to that question is simply, "I don't have to." Certainly, I might be able to...but in the grand scheme of things, the world will not come to an end if every task on my checklist doesn't get marked off.
In all actuality, it is not a question of "How do I do all of this?", but more so a question of "How do I go about all of this?" I believe a hectic life has to be addressed intentionally and purposefully without hefty expectation of being able to walk on water.
I don't have the market cornered on dealing with a stress filled hectic schedule, but I do try my very best to address my life intentionally and purposefully. Sometimes, God helps me get it all done. Sometimes, there are still things that go undone and the world has yet to come to an end. In fact, God still does amazing things in both my life and my ministry despite my occasional inability to complete every task on my list.
I try to IDENTIFY everything that could or should be done during the week. There is a difference between "could" and "should". Some things have to be done, some things truly need to be done, then there are those things that could be done. If something has to be accomplished or needs to be accomplished, those move up on the priority list.
It's important that we PRIORITIZE. I personally prioritize each day. Biting off my schedule in chunks makes it easier to digest. After plugging in the "has to be" and the "need to be" done's, I am free to fill the rest of my day with what "could be" done.
When it is all said and done, I have to REALIZE. I have to realize that I can't always do it all. If I am intentional about making sure what should be done gets accomplished and I maximize my time with the could be done's...what is left is....well, It's ok. I can only do so much.
Just this morning I was readying a blog written by a friend who has been experiencing some of these same feelings. He said this in his conclusion,
"... today really helped me take a deep breath and turn over to God what belongs to God… FUTURE EVENTS. The only thing that I need to be focusing on is my effort. Because at the end of the day all I can do is all I can do, and all I can do is enough. The rest is up to God."
All I can do is enough. The rest is up to God. No truer words have ever been spoken.
Thoughts on life, ministry, and non-sense on occasion.
Tuesday, February 21, 2012
Monday, February 13, 2012
Mangled Flesh - A Continuation
This past weekend, we were all challenged during our Man Vs. Wife series. We began this series where a lot of marriages, unfortunately, end...DIVORCE.
It's a scary word. It's an ugly word. It's a word that God HATES! There is no question that scripture surrounding the topic is challenging and even difficult to read, but God's Word is never meant to be easy. I believe with all of my heart that God intends His Word to convict, to comfort, to guide, and to heal. At the root of every verse is a foundation of Grace. Even in the most convicting portions of God's story, there is found forgiveness.
When it comes to the topic of Divorce, forgiveness abounds. Forgiveness must be found within self. Often times we move on, yet we harbor guilt and pain of mistakes we may have made. As we have sought God for forgiveness, we must also forgive our selves. Others also cause us pain and suffering in divorce and just as God forgives us, we must be willing to share that same amount of forgiveness with them.
One of the topics we touched on in the sermon, was the idea of adultery. Jesus was clear that in cases of adultery, divorce is permissible. Realizing the pain and betrayal, it is perfectly understandable why someone would want to dissolve the marriage. With that said, I want to share the same challenge I presented in the message. Stand Firm! Even if adultery has entered the picture. I know it’s tough. I know it hurts, but when Jesus said that in cases of adultery, divorce was permitted…He didn’t say it was required. Even though you are free to leave, God is the God of forgiveness and he can work a miracle in your relationship today if you both will let Him.
I have seen marriages completely destroyed by adultery, but I have also seen God do some incredible things when a husband and wife are willing to forgive and move forward. Irrespective of the reason, God's desire is to see His union remain. It is His desire to heal, to forgive and to work a miracle.
He shares this heart through the Apostle Paul in 1 Corinthians 7:10-11. His heart is for reconciliation. I do certainly understand that reconciliation may seem impossible in some cases, but through God all things are possible.
If reconciliation is not possible, we can not live in the past and we must move on with our future. However, if reconciliation is possible...WHAT A TESTIMONY OF GOD'S GRACE!
It's a scary word. It's an ugly word. It's a word that God HATES! There is no question that scripture surrounding the topic is challenging and even difficult to read, but God's Word is never meant to be easy. I believe with all of my heart that God intends His Word to convict, to comfort, to guide, and to heal. At the root of every verse is a foundation of Grace. Even in the most convicting portions of God's story, there is found forgiveness.
When it comes to the topic of Divorce, forgiveness abounds. Forgiveness must be found within self. Often times we move on, yet we harbor guilt and pain of mistakes we may have made. As we have sought God for forgiveness, we must also forgive our selves. Others also cause us pain and suffering in divorce and just as God forgives us, we must be willing to share that same amount of forgiveness with them.
One of the topics we touched on in the sermon, was the idea of adultery. Jesus was clear that in cases of adultery, divorce is permissible. Realizing the pain and betrayal, it is perfectly understandable why someone would want to dissolve the marriage. With that said, I want to share the same challenge I presented in the message. Stand Firm! Even if adultery has entered the picture. I know it’s tough. I know it hurts, but when Jesus said that in cases of adultery, divorce was permitted…He didn’t say it was required. Even though you are free to leave, God is the God of forgiveness and he can work a miracle in your relationship today if you both will let Him.
I have seen marriages completely destroyed by adultery, but I have also seen God do some incredible things when a husband and wife are willing to forgive and move forward. Irrespective of the reason, God's desire is to see His union remain. It is His desire to heal, to forgive and to work a miracle.
He shares this heart through the Apostle Paul in 1 Corinthians 7:10-11. His heart is for reconciliation. I do certainly understand that reconciliation may seem impossible in some cases, but through God all things are possible.
If reconciliation is not possible, we can not live in the past and we must move on with our future. However, if reconciliation is possible...WHAT A TESTIMONY OF GOD'S GRACE!
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