Stuff Rushes In  –  See.  Perceive.  Act.

Picture this, former procrastinators.  You’re standing on the shore, holding a gemstone you value.  Suddenly a huge wave rolls in, knocks you down, and washes away your treasure.  That’s what it seems like when numerous demands rush in and take over our day. 

How do we handle all the demands and still accomplish our priorities?

We don’t.  God made us with human frames and placed us in time.  We have limitations.  Therefore, we must choose what’s essential and do those things.

Someone said there’s no such thing as time management.  We have no control over time.  He says practice energy management. What’s our best time of day to concentrate, exercise, etc.? Then plan our day according to our energy level so we give our best to important tasks. Helpful counsel.  However, we don’t get to choose everything about our schedules.  We have to choose and work essentials.

The essential things are our priorities – children, work, feeding the family.  But there are other priorities too.  Often those are the ones that get drowned out by a flood of demands. Some are genuine needs (A trip to ER). Some are orchestrated by the Lord.  (The neighbor you prayed for calls).  Others seem urgent, but are they really?  (The cookie baker got sick.  Can you fill in?)  We must ask the Lord for discernment.  See. Perceive. Act.

Sometimes how we think can allow the flood that drowns our priorities:

We lack understanding that our priorities can take precedence over other things.  If God has impressed upon us that something is essential for us to do, then it is a priority. It doesn’t have to be “spiritual.”  Recognize this within yourself and your schedule.  Also recognize it in relation to others.  Your priorities are as important as somebody else’s request.  “No, I have commitments that prevent me from accepting that job.”  No explaining necessary.  Be confident in the Lord’s leading. Protect your essentials.

We think we can do more than is wise.  To “carve out” time for a priority means something gets cut. 

We think we must do a great deal at one time or we have not worked on the job.  Remember, a small amount done consistently gives greater results than a lot done on occasion.  Mini habits! To be super mini, work 3 minutes on your task.  Or, modify that and work 15 minutes per day.  Be happy with progress.

If we do not actually want to do the job, it is quite easy to allow other things to take over. Be honest.

Fatigue challenges self-control.  Give your task 10 minutes before leaving for work.  It energizes you to accomplish something early in the day.  At day’s end, we feel we can’t do more.  Usually, we can.  “Self-control yourself” to work 10 minutes on the task.  Then, relax.  Done – and not so hard.

Observe yourself.  Notice moments you could use.

God doesn’t give us control over everything.  He does call us to exercise dominion.

Sometimes we need to show ourselves grace and sometimes we need to be a bit ruthless. 

What essential are you working on now?