Jesus focused like a laser beam on the cross. Nothing was allowed to distract him from it. He could have run every kingdom of the world better than anyone else. He could have run the Jewish nation better. He could have led the synagogue better. He could have organized his village better.
But, he lived a quiet behind-the-scenes life until he was thirty to prepare himself for the ONE THING, the task he was given by God.
On the other hand, I take on too much. I say yes too many times. I run myself ragged with much serving. I am a Martha.
I am supposed to do what the Master has directed me to do. I am a biblical slave. I am to be a Mary, sitting at the Master’s feet, serving and leading only where he has called me.
Jon Bloom, President of Desiring God, writes: “Each of us have God’s supply of time and God’s supply of capacity for God’s call on our lives. What we need is to remain clear on that calling and exercise a faith-empowered ruthlessness to say no to distractions.”
I’m lacking faith-empowered ruthlessness. I want to be a superhero, rather than an obedient servant. I’ve spread myself too thin. I’ve taken on tasks that aren’t mine to do. I am depleted and at the end of my resources again. I’ve hit the wall.
To prepare myself for the coming fall ministries and the return of my manuscript, I am taking an unexpected break, a hiatus. I’m picking my way through Jon Bloom’s words and the supporting scriptures. I’m focusing on how Christ’s beauty is shown through my weakness and my dependence on him. I’m asking myself these questions, and I am pruning.
- Why do I take on so much that I have no time for what I know I’m called to do?
- How can I have ruthless, faith-empowered focus on the one thing?
If you’re a leader who finds you’re running in too many directions, if this is also a struggle of yours, I offer to you this restorative and clarifying article by Jon Bloom. Click on the link below, and may it bless your weary hearts.
Lay Aside the Weight of Fragmented Focus.
Photos licensed for use in the public domain by Creative Commons.
We learn as we go, often after the fact 😉 Glad you’re taking a break! Love you, sis xo
Last year you saved me from myself when you whisked me to California! The plan we made to keep me from taking on too much was a good one. Then the death in the family and the contract on the book changed the yearly schedule. Starting in the spring and all through the summer, I hunkered down like a crazy person and got all my work done through January 2014. Seems far enough ahead, right? But I prepared to forge on ahead. All I could do was sit there and stare at my computer, overwhelmed by discouragement and exhaustion! I realized I needed to establish a sane, God-given schedule for how I’m going to work as a published writer. In God’s providence, this isn’t the only book contract I’ll have or the only family crisis. I’m going to have to listen more carefully to the still, small Voice that governs my actions, rather than forging ahead with my own agenda Martha-style. God is a gentle taskmaster, but I am a vicious beast on myself. (And, yes, I wish you could whisk me away to Italy this year. 🙂 )
“His yoke is easy and His burden light.” This is another way to tell if you are doing the one thing and focusing where he wants you to. I, also, have trouble in focusing on the most important thing. I’m glad you are using this hiatus to ponder what The Lord would have you be doing for His Kingdom and what to let go of. Usually, it’s not that we are becoming involved in the world, but taking on more for The Lord than He would have us do. Yes, your momma is a Martha too! Jon Bloom’s article has some very good advice on how to become a recovering Martha.
I’m recovering. God is good. He’s meeting with me in tender and restorative ways.