Marble Theory

Last summer, I was teaching a midweek Bible Study group and I was talking about how "busy" I was. I was preaching 7 time that week and had a packed schedule. I had allowed myself to become so busy that sleep was an option.

At first glance, it seemed like I was showing them that I was a good employee by working hard. Without realizing it, I was equating busy with success. I had inadvertently fallen into the devil's lie by trying to find validation in "busy".

A very wise and humble Elder in our church that cares for me very deeply, simply said, "Did you pray and ask God which of these appointments He wanted you to cover?"

My friend is so gracious, he didn't embarrass me, nor did he talk down to me, all he was really asking was, "Does God have any input in your daily schedule?"

This seriously rattled me.

I was supposed to be teaching this Bible Study and found myself sitting at the feet on an Elder, learning some very practical, God glorifying principles. These principles have helped revolutionize my life. From that night on, I have slowed down and began developing the habit of asking God for guidance and wisdom in the everyday details of my schedule.

Where the water gets really muddy and confusing, is when you realize that the majority of the requests and opportunities we are faced with every day, are good and worthwhile projects.

This means we have to learn to say, "No" to some good and worthwhile projects or our plate will become overfull that we risk burning out.

Tell me that you have never came home after a busy day and found that you have no energy or passion for your family? All you want to do is sit down and try to recuperate enough to face tomorrow.

Have you ever found that you are expending the very best you have to offer on strangers and business, only to find that your resources are depleted by the time you get home to those you love?

So consider this: Everyday you wake up and the good Lord gives you about 7 marbles.

That means you can do about 7 things very well. If you go beyond 7 things, you can function, but the quality of work begins to slip and you start drawing from your reserves.

What blows is when your first appointment of the day, takes all 7 of your marbles and you don't have anything left for everyone else in your day. By 9:00 am, you are out of marbles and running in the deficit.

This obviously is dangerous because you CAN function by living from your reserves.
I'm not saying you can't SURVIVE -- if SURVIVAL is your idea of quality living.

Your spiritual take-away from this is two-fold:
does "busy" validate you?
what is your idea of "quality" living?

"The thief’s purpose is to steal and kill and destroy.
My purpose is to give them a rich and satisfying life."
John 10:10

Examining Priorities

Have you ever read a Bible verse that shook you to your core?

My wife read a Bible verse a couple months ago and immediately shared it with me. Her first thought was, "I can't believe this is in the Bible". Her second thought was, "Has anyone else seen it?"

Carefully read this verse and mull it over. Tell me it doesn't make you a little uncomfortable.

"Make it your goal to live a quiet life, minding your own business and working with your hands, just as we instructed you before" 1 Thessalonians 4:11

Make it your priority to live a quiet life
Make it your priority to mind your own business
Make it your priority to work with your hands
YOU obey God's Word

Tell me, does any of these 4 Bible commands (yes they are commands -- not suggestions) sound like the American Dream?

I am NOT going to preach a sermon here, but I do want God to personally challenge you to reexamine your priorities.

"quiet life" -- literally means not to speak inappropriately and to live free of hostility. Does this describe the life in your home? Sorry, that was preaching. The ability to live a quiet life is an example of the life transforming power of the Gospel.

"mind your own business" --  2 Thessalonians 3:11-12, "we hear that some of you are living idle lives, refusing to work and meddling in other people’s business. We command such people and urge them in the name of the Lord Jesus Christ to settle down and work to earn their own living."

"work with your hands" -- the Greeks believed that they should never stoop to do manual labor. They believed that working with their hands was degrading. So Paul was challenging Christians to do their best at their jobs. Colossians 3:23, "Whatever you do, work at it with all your heart, as working for the Lord, not for human masters".  Luke 3:14, “Don’t extort money or make false accusations. And be content with your pay.”

"just as we instructed you before" -- Ask yourself this, "Will you give God's Word the authority to transform your life into a life that pleases God?"

This afternoon I met with a young man that is making some difficult life choices. As he was explaining his options (or lack of options), I was praying and asking God to guide our conversation and thoughts.
Finally I asked the young man, "Do you trust God?"
He was pretty much noncommittal in his answer and beat around the bush.
I congratulated him on being honest. I told him that he needed to move slowly in his decisions and wait for God to transform his life.
He kept asking me "where" I thought God wanted him to work and "where" God wanted him to live.
The truth is, God will work in that young man's life no matter where he goes.
Pastor Rick Warren likes to say, "God is more interested in transforming your life than making you happy".
So your spiritual takeaway for today is, "Will you open your mind to God's Word and allow it to challenge your priorities, your values, your desires, your attitudes, your goals, and your actions?"