Last week I mentioned that I went to a time management class at the conference we attended. Let’s expand on those thoughts today…
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In 1926, Route 66 was created as a link between Chicago and Los Angeles. It totaled over 2,400 miles. Its ending point is Santa Monica, CA. When you reach this point you have literally come to the end of the trail. The route stops there. The trip is over. How well are you doing at reaching the end of your trail each day? Would you know when you get there?
How would you answer this question?
My purpose in life is_________________.
That’s a pretty weighty question. But if we don’t know what our purpose is, how will ever know if we’ve accomplished what we’ve set out to do? At the end of the day, or of our life how will we know if we’ve gotten to the end of the trail?
I challenge you to pray and ask the Lord to show you the answer to that question, because then you’ll know how to fill in the hours of your day, the days of your weeks, the years of your life. That is really the starting point of each of our “trails.”
My answer is:
My purpose in life is to glorify God, to help Dale fulfill his call to minister to people, to encourage my daughters and sons-in-law in their walk with God, and to lead people to Christ in salvation and their personal walk with Him.
If I’m asked to do something that falls outside that “route,” I make sure that I have first of all filled my obligations to those priorities. Let’s say someone asks me to volunteer at the library in their children’s reading program. I love books, and I love children, but if I haven’t yet had time with my husband, or if I’m doing a Bible study with someone and this would interfere, my answer is clear. If I’m asked by someone at church to meet with them for counseling, this falls in the category of leading people in their walk with God, and it will have a higher priority than the library would.
Structuring your time around your purpose in life will give you clearer direction. You still need to pray and seek God’s wisdom for each of these things, of course, because you can’t be there for everyone, but it will simplify what you need to be praying about each day.
So, start with your purpose and work out from that to fill in your schedule for each day. Then you’re far more likely to get the end of the trail each day!
With love,
RefreshHer 