Former U.S. president Dwight Eisenhower once said, “What is important is seldom urgent, and what is urgent is seldom important”.
God never expected that we would try to be or do everything at once, and it’s when we try to be this “everything” we end up feeling depleted, exhausted and at risk of “burnout”.
One of the keys to avoiding this is asking God for wisdom about what is important for the season you are in. To ask, "what is important for me today” because often what we think is important isn’t, and in the big scheme of things, doesn’t matter very much.
The Bible teaches us, “If you don’t know what you’re doing, pray to the Father. He loves to help. You’ll get his help and won’t be condescended to when you ask for it. Ask boldly, believingly, without a second thought.” (James 1:5)
There is an account of two sisters, Mary and Martha, who were friends of Jesus. He and the disciples had come to visit their home, and Martha was rushing about with domestic duties whilst Mary sat at Jesus’ feet listening to what He was teaching. The things Martha was doing looked necessary and relevant and even could be termed as doing the “right” thing, but when she got annoyed at Mary for not helping, Jesus corrected her by saying that Mary had chosen to do what was important – to sit and learn from Him.
The Lord answered her, “Martha, my beloved Martha. Why are you upset and troubled, pulled away by all these many distractions? Are they really that important? Mary has discovered the one thing most important by choosing to sit at my feet. She is undistracted, and I won’t take this privilege from her.” (Luke 10:41-43 TPT)
The Important
We can go through our whole life merely responding to every opportunity that presents itself and what appears urgent and yet never truly live for what is important and God’s best plan for us.
But if what we are spending all our energy on is not helping us achieve our purpose, then we must ask ourselves, “why are we spending our life on it?”
Because when you look back at your relationships, kids, work, friends, family, and the community around you, wouldn’t it be great to say with no regrets, “I chose the important over the urgent”? “I chose what is truly significant and worthwhile, and I spent my life fulfilling God's assignment for each season I was in.
Today I encourage you to press pause and take time to seek Jesus. Listen to him speaking to your heart and enquiring of Him about what's important for your life. Then determine to give time and energy to what His answer is and to do and become that.(Ephesians 2:10)
“Look carefully how you walk, not as unwise but as wise, making the best use of the time, because the days are evil. Therefore, do not be foolish but understand what the will of the Lord is”. (Ephesians 5:15-17)
“But seek first the kingdom of God and his righteousness, and all these things will be added to you”. (Matthew 6:33)
Prayer: Lord, please help me take the time to discover what is truly important in this season of my life. That I will only focus on what you say, be purposeful, and turn everything else over to you. In Jesus name Amen.
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