Reading Time: 6:10
I heard it once said that time is God’s way of keeping everything from happening all at once. However, this week has felt like a time warp because so much has happened. I guess many people feel that way when their car breaks down. Early Tuesday morning our van quit and I spent several hours diagnosing an intermittent alternator problem. I love those problems that just about the time you find them they go away. The local auto parts store had to order an alternator to fit my van.
When all the parts came together I had to make a decision about doing it myself or having our local auto repair shop do it for me. Thursday was the first they could get it in, so I opted to do it myself. Man, who designed these machines? Anyway, it took a grueling four hours for me to do the job. I hated every minute of it because of the delicate plastic connectors that were everyplace When I was done there was the fear that after spending all that money, the alternator wasn’t the problem. However, it was what was wrong and I moved on to other projects.
Since the pandemic shutdown I have started a lot of projects here at church and it seems each one has run into a snag. So I would just make a lateral move to the next project until the same thing happened with it. I try to break these renovations down into manageable chunks that wouldn’t outpace our financial flow, but ultimately some money will have to be spent to complete each one. As a result it sometimes seems everything is happening at once.
Fortunately, we still have a few weeks until we open our church up completely. I’m still trying to convince myself I can get it all put back together by June. Well, you can see why it’s Thursday and I still don’t have this blog posted. I would say I’ve gotten my cart before the horse, but I don’t actually have a horse yet.
One thing Susan and I tried to establish, but it hasn’t worked out, is to sit down each week and post a podcast on Wednesdays. We started this as part of our church closure through April, but thought we would continue it on Wednesdays. We failed to get the first one out last Wednesday, and it looks like we missed the one for this week also.
When everything seems to be happening at once, it usually means you are not getting things done in the first place. They tend to pile up. This blows your schedule. Not to mention, in the stress, you put things off. The pile grows until it actually topples. In my economy of things, I still take solace in the things that do get done, but it takes its toll on me. So, after I post this blog this morning, Susan and I are taking the rest of the day off and going to Piqua, Ohio. Thing can wait. This schedule is self-imposed anyway. It’s not like I have a boss making demands on me. I know God is not. I get done what I get done, and the rest will still be there waiting.
As a matter of fact, God wants us to rest, take a day off each week, and enjoy the good things he provides. Striving to achieve is not in his game plan. Let’s not forget his admonition to us as his followers:
“28 Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest. 29 Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. 30 For my yoke is easy and my burden is light.”
Matthew 11:28-30 NIV
Another old adage I’ve heard over the years, when someone thinks you are burning out, is, “I’d rather burn out than rust out.” I’ve used it a lot when anyone tells me to quit pushing it. However, I think the Lord is of another mind. He wants neither. An old saying of my own is, “He cares more about the servant than the service.” Sometimes when the unexpected arises and you get behind schedule, it’s time to revise that schedule. The Bible says, “Make level paths for your feet.” (Proverbs 4:26) God doesn’t want us stumbling around or twisting our ankle on the clutter we produce for ourselves. He wants us to establish a “straight path” in front if us. Another thing I often say is, “Vision is not seeing the goal, it’s seeing the path to get there.”
The New International Version of Proverbs 4:26 says:
“Give careful thought to the paths for your feet
and be steadfast in all your ways.”
Matthew 11:28-30 NIV
One thing I have learned over the years is to keep a short list. This is a list of the things that need to happen today. A long list is for projects, goals, and dreams, but your short list has a time and a date for your activities. There are still many tings I do each day that are not on that list. I’m just working toward longterm goals a little at a time. This is something that frustrates others about me, and sometimes frustrates me about myself. Nonetheless, when you look back, a lot gets done. I find sometimes people wait too long to get started. I’ve often just started and let the projects drive me. Pressure isn’t always a bad thing. However, when the unexpected arises, scheduling takes a hit. Roll with it, reassess, relax a little, get a new perspective, and go at it again.
That’s what has happened to me this week. A lot has happened all at once. Usually I give up my days off to squeeze it in, but today Susan and I are going to relax and set our eyes on all that needs to be done tomorrow—tomorrow.
“Therefore do not worry about tomorrow,
for tomorrow will worry about itself.
Each day has enough trouble of its own.”
Matthew 6:34 NIV
Pastor Brian Jenkins
Calvary Assemblies of God