[This is an update of an earlier post; I keep reflecting on it]

Here is a quote worth reflecting on (from an article by Jeff Jones entitled “Getting With the Program” in the Center for Church Based Training’s Life Development Planner that our church’s elders and wives have been doing together):

“Each of us can invest our time, talents, and treasure in many ways. Life involves a process of accepting and rejecting limitless time-consuming opportunities. The same is true of money and the use of talents. We cannot do it all. Those who are effective for God and are actively used by Him to further his mission are those who focus the energy and resources on the Church’s mission.”

I can identify with the quote as I am sure you can. I am continually being invited to almost innumerable opportunities.

• Work: getting one more email responded to, polishing that report or analysis, etc. I must choose when is a particular task done, what do I do myself and what do I delegate, how do I work with this person, etc.
• Away from work we have even more choices. We each are continually invited to so many engagements: movies to watch, books to read, activities with friends, family involvement, church involvement, reading, etc, etc, etc. It is limitless.

All good things (and plenty of bad things invite me as well). But I cannot do it all. I much choose, as you must.

So how to choose well? This is not easy to answer. According to my view, we are not on our own. We have been created and our Creator has told us some things about how He wants us to live. We must start with knowing Him and His purposes for us, to the extent it has been revealed in His Word.

As it says in Ephesians 5:15-6, “Be very careful, then, how you live — not as unwise but as wise, making the most of every opportunity, because the days are evil. Therefore do not be foolish, but understand what the Lord’s will is.”

There is much we must add to this as His Word does not tell me much in the way of specifics of my current situation. But we must start with this or we will not please Him in the end and it is only in fulfilling the purposes for which we are made that we will truly be happy or fulfilled.

Lord, help me choose well. Guide me in the mission You have for me here. Help me to be wise, to know how to make the most of each day You give me. Help me not to be foolish, to be distracted by lesser things, good though they may be.