I am so thankful today is Friday. It has been a really long last few months full of exciting things, but physically and spiritually taxing. There never seems to be enough time in the day to get things done or there are a 100 distractions that keep you from accomplishing a task. Needless to say, life can be hard and busy where ever you are, and sometimes you spread yourself too thin and lets be honest, you get nothing accomplished. Or, if you do, it isn't done to a high standard. It is just a completed task to check off your list and many times leaves you regretting it wasn't done better. Well....this has got me thinking on the Christian life and how our crazy schedules, demands, etc. can cause us to fall short of a higher standard....God's standard. Now, granted, many times it is good, Godly things that can take up our time, but what is more important really....Doing as many "good" things as possible? Or, setting an example of excellence and quality with less?
I don't know about you, but I am thinking I would do better to do less with excellence than more that lacks quality. Granted, I tend to get caught up and not apply this principle, but I think this is something that we all need to pay attention to and change in our lives. In Luke 16:10, the writer states,“Unless you are faithful in small matters, you won’t be faithful in large ones. If you cheat even a little, you won’t be honest with greater responsibilities.” I find that when we are tired, overworked, and stressed, the small things go first. We tell a little white lie, we don't do what we say we will do, and we make excuses for our shortcomings. Then, when the big things come, we have set ourselves up for failure because we have started a trend of unfaithfulness. How can we be faithful in big things, when we are not in small things.....the answer is....you CANNOT be! And what is worse, it harms you, the people you love, and your witness. If as Christians we can't be different from the rest of the world in the every day, then what is the difference? Not that God calls us to be super humans. In fact, He doesn't. He call us to be faithful in the small, so that we cultivate a life of faithfulness, so that when big things come along, we can handle (with His help of course) what life throws at us.
Jesus says in Matthew 11:29-30, "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. For my yoke is easy and my burden is light.” I am thinking that is the best news I have heard all week. I feel a weight being lifted from my shoulders as I read this. But honestly, life doesn't feel this way at times, and as Christians, we tend to not embrace this and apply it to our lives. If the world sees no peace, joy or quality in our lives, why in the world would they want what we have? I know I wouldn't. But the good news is that if we focus on this verse, and allow it to guide our daily lives, we will be showing the rest of the world that we do adhere to a higher standard and it is one that actually simplifies and lessens our stress.
Let us take time this weekend to remember the Word of God and rest and relax in God's grace. May we not allow "our" schedule to take the place of God's schedule and may we do faithfully what God has for us today. Whether it is taking care of your child, preaching to the lost, or going to work and doing what needs to be done for the day, let us do it all with excellence and joy, and not worry for tomorrow. We have more than enough to deal with today! Have a wonderful weekend!
