Energy

As a church planter things are most often busy, sometimes stressful, and many times difficult. I also understand that everyone in life seems to struggle in the same way. Everyone only has 24 hours in a day, 7 days in a week, and 52 weeks in a year. That's one thing that we cannot get away from, no matter what! And you know what...we'd better just accept it!

As we become more and more stretched and busy in life, I believe we must become more strategic about what we do, where our energy goes, and who we listen to. That's where I lack sometimes, and that's where I'm sure many of you lack many times...strategy and energy management. The more I live my life as to what God wants from me, I realize that I must be strategic about my life.

In Exodus 18 Jethro, Moses' father-in-law, gives him some great advice. Moses was pastoring a great and large church, Israel! He had a ton of people that listened to him, honored his authority, and respected his voice. People, day in and day out, came to Moses for forgiveness, understanding, and help. So, Moses is answering hundreds of people each day, and was getting tired, frustrated, and probably even burnt out. Then Jethro comes along for a visit one day and offers some wisdom. He asks Moses why he was leading that way. He informed Moses that he would quickly get burnt out, frustrated and feel like he was constantly behind in life. He then laid out a format for Moses to lead better and more efficiently...streamline his voice, his ear, and his action.

Here's the point: Jethro helped Moses become a tremendous leader by teaching him to be strategic with what he does, who he listens to, and how he does it!

Where you spend your energy determines the destination of what you're doing. Simply put, what you give your energy/ear to, and where/how you spend your time determines how effective you will be in what you're doing. Don't give in to negativity anymore. Don't give into people who don't believe in the dream God has placed in your heart. Don't allow others to organize your calendars anymore. We may all have the same amount of hours in a day, days in a week, and weeks in a year, but we can all do better at managing what we have!

Stewardship is a Godly/biblical principle. Steward well, get more, steward poorly get less. STOP GIVING YOUR ENERGY TO OTHER THINGS! Become strategic, purposeful, and energetic! You will see yourself become more effective, happier, and more loving...because your life is pointing to something now, instead of wasting energy on people and things that don't deserve it!

Do these things to create your strategy:
1) Determine not to pay attention to negativity/naysayers.
2) What do you want to accomplish in every area of your life?
3) What do you need to plan in order to accomplish God's dream for your life?

The purpose is up to God... the accomplishing of that is up to you. Let's move!