I've been reflecting some more on Monday's post about time and expectations, specifically the line, "How can one achieve greatness with so few hours in the day?"
Being a perfectionist and optimist, I see opportunities for greatness on a daily basis. There are not enough hours in the day to do all the great things I dream up.
And the things I dream up are really on a relatively small scale compared to the people in the world who have contributed to curing disease, overturning injustice, feeding the hungry, and creating peace.
How do they do it?
Recently a friend of mine and I were pondering this question, and began wondering if it was a matter of calling. I could spend the rest of my life trying to discover a cure for cancer, but it would take a great effort on my part and a really long time because:
A.) I don't have any of the medical education, so I'd have to start there
B.) Biology doesn't come naturally to me
C.) I'm afraid of needles
D.) I don't even like the sciences!
Sometimes I wonder if I pursue things because I think they would be good things to do, but it isn't God calling me to do those things. Inevitably those things that I am not called to do but rather pursing on my own will take me exponentially more time than someone else because I do not have the skills or gifts in that area.
Consequently, I may be missing out on a project that God is calling me to because I'm pursing the cure to cancer when that wasn't my project to begin with.
To achieve greatness, I must first ask God what He needs me to do.
Just yesterday, I was putting sheets on our guest bed for some friends arriving last night. I had so much I wanted to do around the house to get ready for them, but I had VERY limited time. Greatness came to mind again, and I wished that I could be a great host. I could have fresh flowers in their room waiting for them, or chocolates on the bed, or even just a clear pathway from the front door to the kitchen! Quiet as a whisper, a thought popped into my head...
"Greatness...where?"
Do I want to pursue greatness here on earth, or greatness in heaven?
Thank you, Lord, for making the choice clear. May I pursue YOU first and foremost, and honor the gifts and skills you have given me. Turn my ear to hear your voice giving me projects, and may I not get caught up in greatness here on earth or in others' eyes.
Being a perfectionist and optimist, I see opportunities for greatness on a daily basis. There are not enough hours in the day to do all the great things I dream up.
And the things I dream up are really on a relatively small scale compared to the people in the world who have contributed to curing disease, overturning injustice, feeding the hungry, and creating peace.
How do they do it?
Recently a friend of mine and I were pondering this question, and began wondering if it was a matter of calling. I could spend the rest of my life trying to discover a cure for cancer, but it would take a great effort on my part and a really long time because:
A.) I don't have any of the medical education, so I'd have to start there
B.) Biology doesn't come naturally to me
C.) I'm afraid of needles
D.) I don't even like the sciences!
Sometimes I wonder if I pursue things because I think they would be good things to do, but it isn't God calling me to do those things. Inevitably those things that I am not called to do but rather pursing on my own will take me exponentially more time than someone else because I do not have the skills or gifts in that area.
Consequently, I may be missing out on a project that God is calling me to because I'm pursing the cure to cancer when that wasn't my project to begin with.
To achieve greatness, I must first ask God what He needs me to do.
Just yesterday, I was putting sheets on our guest bed for some friends arriving last night. I had so much I wanted to do around the house to get ready for them, but I had VERY limited time. Greatness came to mind again, and I wished that I could be a great host. I could have fresh flowers in their room waiting for them, or chocolates on the bed, or even just a clear pathway from the front door to the kitchen! Quiet as a whisper, a thought popped into my head...
"Greatness...where?"
Do I want to pursue greatness here on earth, or greatness in heaven?
Thank you, Lord, for making the choice clear. May I pursue YOU first and foremost, and honor the gifts and skills you have given me. Turn my ear to hear your voice giving me projects, and may I not get caught up in greatness here on earth or in others' eyes.
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