Dear
Friends:
Life is so complex and hurried now. We run our lives
like a factory floor trying to squeeze more and more
production out of it. We don't take time out for rest
and preventive maintenance. Like a machine that is
overused and undermaintained on the factory floor, we
are in danger of running the "machine" into the
ground.
I would offer the following items for consideration in
order to simplify your life:
1. Prioritize: Although people will try to convince
you that you can do it all, unless you have figured
out how to beat the time/space continuum, you cannot
do it all. Life is a popourri of choices. The
quality of our life is largely based on how we make
those decisions. Do things that are important first.
The Scripture gives us a little advice in this
department - "Seek ye first the
his righteousness." If we faithfully follow that
advice, a lot of other things will fall into place.
2. Learn to say "no": People will sell you, guilt
you and bug you into biting off more than you can
chew. The reward for hard working people is more hard
work. The ecclesia is no exception. The apostle Paul
suggests in 1 Corinthians that we can best serve God
if we do not marry and dedicate our life to His
service. However, along with that statement is the
implication that those who do have families must take
time to be good fathers. mothers, husbands and wives.
We also have to factor in our different abilities. If
there is a proper distribution of ecclesial labor, it
is not only healthy for everyone, a lot more can be
accomplished.
3. Plan for "downtime": From the beginning, the
Lord wanted man to rest one day in seven. Although
this had a lot of spiritual significance which we do
not have time to go into now, the plain fact is that
there are physical requirements on the human body for
rest. One of the dumbest phrases I have ever heard is
"work hard, play hard." Biblically speaking, the
phrase should be "work hard, rest." Every once in a
while my family has a "no electricity night." We
literally go the night with no electricity. What we
find is that we play games by candle/lantern light,
talk, relax and spend quality time together. It also
makes you realize how much of our life centers around
gadgets -- TV, radio, computers, telephones -- all
life complicaters, not simplifiers.
4. Concede defeat in the rat race: It has been said
that even if you win the rat race, you are still a
rat. For those who believe in something higher than
"going for all the gusto", we should realize that
"keeping up with the Joneses" is not all it is cracked
up to be. Half the Joneses are divorced, up to their
ears in debt and daily on the phone to their
therapist. We should concede defeat in this crazy race
for wealth, pleasure and material possessions and
focus on the race for eternal life. The Apostle Paul
says "having food and raiment let us be therewith
content." (1 Tim 6:8)
"Now as they were traveling along, He entered a
certain village; and a woman named Martha welcomed Him
into her home. And she had a sister called Mary, who
moreover was listening to the Lord's word, seated at
His feet. But Martha was distracted with all her
preparations; and she came up to Him, and said, 'Lord,
do You not care that my sister has left me to do all
the serving alone? Then tell her to help me.' But the
Lord answered and said to her, "Martha, Martha, you
are worried and bothered about so many things; but
only a few things are necessary, really only one, for
Mary has chosen the good part, which shall not be
taken." (Luke 10:38-42 NASB)
Have a great week!
Kyle