Volunteer lunch duty at your children’s school? Yes, you’ll be right there.
A family with a new baby needs a meal? Yes, no problem. You’ll whip something up.
Another Bible study? Why not? You’re already in one but it can’t hurt to join another, right?
Except . . . no.
When we don’t know our purpose, when we don’t have what Holley Gerth in You’re Already Amazing
It’s sort of like going to an all-you-can-eat buffet and eating, well, all you can. Eventually, you’ll get fat and feel not-so- great about yourself.
When we overcommit, eventually, we’ll get “fat” on too much – even if it’s good stuff. Anything that withdraws from our account of time, whether it be good or bad, can make us feel tired and overwhelmed.
On the other hand, when you are aware of your LIFE statement, then it serves as a sieve to help you know to what you’ll say “yes” and what needs to be an “I’m sorry I just can’t but thanks for thinking of me.”
Thankfully, Holley gives us a format to follow to create our LIFE statements.
For example, my LIFE statement is:
I am created and called to express my faith through love especially by bringing authenticity and hope to the hearts of women through speaking and writing.
Anything that gets in the way of you living God’s purpose will hinder. In Chapter Nine, Holley mentions Wayne Cordeiro, author of Leading on Empty: Refilling Your Tank and Renewing Your Passion
Cordeiro says that 85% of what we do, anyone can do – like watching television, checking emails and attending meetings.
Another 10% can be done by someone else if we trained them to do it.
The last five percent are things only we can do.
It’s when we consistently find ourselves with more than five percent that we get into trouble and risk burn-out.
So when we are analyzing a “yes” or a “no,” we need to ask ourselves: What will be included in my last five percent?
Holley also writes that ” . . . it seems we often use our energy and emotion on things that don’t matter as much. Then when He does give us a big assignment, we’re already exhausted.” Anyone else ever experienced this or is it just me?
But when we do have a goal, we need to remember these five truths:
1. The small things matter because they eventually add up to the big things.
2. Easy is not bad. God will sometimes ask us to do hard things but other times, we can hit the easy button because it helps us conserve energy for what really matters.
3. When your goal has deep, personal meaning, you will be more motivated to achieve it. As Holley states, “Change is outward while growth is inward.”
4. Slip-ups and set-backs will happen. Oh, well. It’s more about the process and less about the product.
5. Stay positive and celebrate milestones and growth. Amen.
Anything worth changing or “setting-out” to do will take time. Having a destination in mind coupled with a strong life statement and the courage to say “no” when something doesn’t align with your purpose are all critical components to achieving what God has planned for you to do. He also expects you to take care of yourself – just as Jesus did.
If we think of ourselves as a bank account, then we certainly have withdrawals, right? But what are our deposits?
Coffee with a friend. A bubble bath. Reading your book in bed. Date night with the hubby.
If we don’t make deposits, our account will eventually become overdrawn and we won’t have anything to give.
So give yourself permission to deposit, sister. Your account, and everyone else who withdraws from it, will thank you.
So for today, please answer at least one of the following in the comment section:
1. “Let us throw off everything that hinders and the sin that so easily entangles. And let us run with perseverance the race marked out for us, fixing our eyes on Jesus, the pioneer and perfecter of our faith” (Hebrews 12:1-2) What tends to hinder and entangle you?
2. What fills you up and brings you joy? In other words, what are the deposits you make into your account?
3. Who is someone who encourages you and why?
4. Was there anything else that captured your attention in either Chapter Nine or Ten?
Can you believe our last week is next week? Time flies when you’re reading a great book, right? Stay-tuned to hear of our next study – you won’t want to miss it!
