To the weak I became weak, to win the weak. I have become all things to all people so that by all possible means I might save some. I do all this for the sake of the gospel, that I may share in its blessings.
~ 1 Corinthians 9:22-23
I realize that this may not be a correct interpretation of that Scripture. But work with me.
Yesterday, Sunday was a full day. In some ways it seems that every day is a full day because there are always articles to be written, bills to be paid, work to be done around the house. You know the drill.
But sometimes there are days that are driven by events that leave us little choice in what we get done. Sunday was one of those days. Events and chores were back-to-back-to-back.
Now, let me stop right here and say that, yes, much of what I did on Sunday was by choice. In fact it was pretty much a day of things I’d agreed to do, or chosen to do, all converging on one day.
Sunday always involves church, and in our current configuration, I’m going to two services. One at 9:30 when I generally sing in the choir, another at 11:15 so that the 13-year-old can attend service (he’s in Sunday school at 9:30) while Mom teaches a class. Then there’s lunch. We tried today to work in a quick stop at Old Navy for pants for said 13-year-old, but we ran out of time before he had to be at youth choir rehearsal. They dropped me off at home where I walked the dog, wrote a couple of articles, finished up some laundry and then headed out to first deliver my filing form for the upcoming Virginia GOP Convention in May, then back to the church to participate in a pre-show for our kid’s musical. Sadly, I had to duck out before the show actually began for a play I’m in rehearsals for.
Rehearsal got out a little earlier than expected so I made it home to sit down to write. That is of course before I packed my bag for the gym and packed my lunch for Monday. Then there’s the small matter that between Once Upon A Time and The Bible Series, I have three hours of television to watch. While I miss it, at least I don’t have to put Downton Abbey in that mix.
I’m not trying to impress anyone with how busy I am. These are just the things that keep me busy. You’ve got your own list.
Here’s what I’m getting at. It’s about priorities.
Last year in our church the theme was “Things that matter most.” This year there’s a concentrated effort to build up the body by encouraging study of the Scriptures, personal relationships and times of prayer and worship.
I need constant reminders that I should be focusing on the things that matter most. I have those narrowed down to a short list with, of course, faith and family being on the top. So I put that into the context of knowing that I’m a writer.
My more or less list is sort of my own personal “things that matter most” list. I did an assessment at the end of January to see how I was doing. One month later, I’m at about the same spot. I’m moving forward, but I’m not excelling.
But perhaps that’s how life needs to be. Always striving to do better, to be better.
I am challenged by yesterday’s sermon that I am not spending enough time with the scripture. After all, the reality is we don’t know the value of what we’ve got. It’s so accessible, yet we don’t always make it a priority. I have hard copies of the Bible, I have it on my computer, and I have it on my phone where I can read it or listen to it. I need to be doing more of that.
So, here’s to that.
This has been a rambling post, written late on Sunday night to post on Monday morning. So, maybe it doesn’t make a lot of sense.
But Monday is a new day, a new week. I’ll be at the gym; I’ll be reading more in the Word. I’ll be trying to focus on the things that matter most.
What matters most to you this week?