What Is Important Is Not Always Urgent in Our Spiritual Lives
“What is important is seldom urgent and what is urgent is seldom important.”
I’m often humbled when I think of just how big God is and how small we are. God is in charge of everything in the entire universe and in my current season of life, I can hardly find enough time in my schedule to sleep!
I’m attending seminary at the moment with more than a full-time load, working nearly full time, and serving in multiple additional capacities. All of this, while further dividing my time allotted to my family of three humans and two pets.
Because I’m busy, it becomes difficult to focus on one thing at a time.
When I get too busy, I often don’t have the bandwidth to focus on what is important, especially when urgent is pressing in on me. Steven Covey talks about self-management in his book Seven Habits of Highly Effective People. In his book one of his main points is: What is important is seldom urgent and what is urgent is seldom important.
This often rings true in our spiritual lives. We are too busy filling our schedules with work, entertainment, extracurriculars or other business to think about what is MOST necessary in our lives. Especially in a season of increased busyness. God is obviously most needed in our lives and as we set to work, we should go WITH our Heavenly Father in our day. Prayer and communion is how we stay in touch with God. We pray and go, pray and work. We should ask God to go before us and with us in our daily duties. We shouldn’t need to look back as we set the hand to the plow, but we should look forward to closely walking with God in all times and seasons of our lives.
One Task at a Time
In the military we would say, “Smooth is fast.” This is a way of saying that we need to slow down in the urgent chaos of our lives to focus on the one task at hand. Focus is the key. With focus we can accomplish anything if we stay committed to the simple pace of: ONE TASK AT A TIME. For the Type-A, highly productive individuals this might sound depressing. But divided focus likely slows down how quickly we finish our tasks. Remember “Smooth is fast,” and attacking our to-do lists with our Heavenly Father will set us in the right frame of mind and spirit to take on any challenges throughout our day!
We shouldn’t complain or excuse our lack of productivity by saying that we have “too much” on our plates. Instead, focusing on one task at a time can help us become MORE capable and efficient with our time. The Psalmist says, “So teach us to number our days that we may get a heart of wisdom” (Psalm 90:12). We can always get better and more productive, but why not also grow in our relationship with God during these times of testing and increased responsibility?
Our time and energy should be managed with an eye to please God and enjoy Him forever. It’s so refreshing and encouraging to be useful and fruitful to others when we have it in our power to act!
Jesus says in Matthew 6:33-34: “But seek first the kingdom of God and his righteousness, and all these things will be added to you. Therefore do not worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will worry about itself. Today has enough trouble of its own.”
In summary
Productivity is not an end of its own, but a means to discipline ourselves for Godliness. Regardless how much or how little we do in life, EVERYTHING we do IS our ministry and a testimony to others. God has given us all gifts and we should continue improving them by giving God the glory. Taking the time to mindfully and soulfully focus on Christ is our greatest joy, the best “force multiplier” we could implement into our day. One -thing-at-a-time, is the fastest way to get things done and in the right spirit! I pray, we make seeking Christ our most urgent and important priority of today!
-written by Jake Richardson
Jake is a new intern here at Redeemer. He currently serves God and country while attending seminary at Dallas Theological. He lives in Fate with his wife Leanne, two children, pug and cat. He enjoys lots of caffeine, learning interesting things and people. You can contact Jake HERE!