The most important thing you will do…

Almost a year ago I went from working 25 to 28 hours a week outside the home to a 40 hour week (sometimes more). Since then, I’ve struggled to juggle work and home demands. I’ve dealt with fatigue as an all too frequent companion and cut back on extraneous activities like watching “Bath Crashers,” cooking on meeting nights that didn’t involve Kroger rotisserie chicken and dusting (to be honest, dusting rarely cracked my top ten, but now I have an excuse).

The extra duties I took on at work involve a lot of writing, which is good for a writer like me. I get paid to do something I love. What is not good is that I let weariness from writing hamper my personal writing mission. I believe that God gave me the ability and desire to write so I can encourage others to find their purpose, strength, and joy in the Lord. I’m asking God to help me be faithful to his calling.

“‘Not by might, nor by power, but by my Spirit,’ says the Lord Almighty.” – Zechariah 4:6b

In my own strength, it seems impossible, but with God, all things are possible (Matt. 19:26).

What dream are you ignoring right now? Maybe like me, you’re discouraged because you don’t have a lot of extra time to devote to it. Just start somewhere. If you have 15 minutes today and 15 minutes on Wednesday, that’s 30 minutes you’ve spent on what Jon Acuff calls pursuing “your awesome.” As you start to make progress, you may find that it’s easier to give up things you enjoy (like that Sunday afternoon nap) in pursuit of your passion.

Don’t despise the day of small beginnings (Zech. 4:10) because even small steps make progress on the journey.

Now here’s a caveat emptor (buyer beware) caution for you. Crafting your calling probably is NOT the most important thing you do.

As a Christian, the most important activities I do involve loving God and loving others (Matt. 22:37-39). I’ll give you an example. Last week, I drove the 45 minutes north to Denton to take my mom out for brunch. My stepdad had been ill and in the hospital, and I arranged my work schedule so I could spend a few hours with my mom and briefly visit with her ailing husband.

It struck me later that visiting my mom was way more important than writing a front page story for the Star-Telegram (which I’d done the week before) or a blog post that inspired others. There are many people to write such things, but I am my mother’s only daughter.

I’m also reminded that the most valuable part of my day is the time I spend with God. Reading the Bible, praying and asking for the Lord to direct me sets my course and my attitude.

While our culture is often focused on achievements and possessions, God’s economy is based on reliance on Him and relationships. Don’t be surprised that the two don’t line up, “for the wisdom of the world is foolishness to God.” – 1 Cor. 3:19a.

Go ahead and shut down your computer and go for a walk with your husband.

Let the dishes sit in the sink while you read to your toddler.

Leave the office and take your teen out for ice cream.

You may find that the most important things you do are not the ones on your “to do” list or your life goals.