Let’s face it – life is full! It is rare when everything is under control and you have spare time on your hands. Just when you think you are on the brink of being on top of all of your responsibilities, something unexpected pops up. It might even be something amazingly good, but still something you didn’t anticipate. That’s why it’s paramount that you set priorities, make wise choices, and recognize your limits!
As leaders, it’s easy to find yourself taking on more and more. Pretty soon you’re completely overwhelmed. Being effective means doing less so that you can have more of an impact. That’s easier said than done! Yet, when you keep things simple you are poised to impact children. And after all, introducing children to Jesus – that’s why you do what you do!
Up until four years ago, each time I had moved it was to a larger home. That all changed when my kids grew up and my nest was nearly empty. That’s when my husband and I decided to move not only to a new state, but to a much smaller home. That meant getting rid of stuff in order to fit into our smaller home. It’s amazing how much you can accumulate over the years. I don’t know about you, but I tend to hang on to things. Getting rid of things was not easy! I tossed, donated, and saved only what I really needed to save. It was a lot of decisions!
Now that we are settled, and my house feels like a home, much of that struggle is long forgotten!
How about you? You may not be in the middle of a move, but do you tend to accumulate things too?
Adding without subtracting isn’t limited to things around the house. How about your ministry? What things are you doing just because they have always been done? How are those things keeping you from more effectively accomplishing the bigger vision God has called you to? What would happen if you were to let go of some things so that you can do a few things even better?
Letting go of the extra stuff in your life or ministry isn’t easy, but it is advantageous!
Even if you can’t take the time to go through everything all at once, commit to a drawer or a corner; start the process! Letting go of both the physical clutter, and the extra stuff you are doing that’s not making the most of your time or resources.
You don’t have to do it all at once. It is something you can chip away at. Consider one aspect of your ministry a week, and how you might simplify it. Little steps are better than doing nothing at all!
Like I mentioned in the beginning, life is full. If you want to simplify so that your ministry can maximize its effectiveness, you will have to intentionally set aside time to do that. Time to purposefully let go – I promise it won’t just happen!
What aspect of your ministry would benefit from a little letting go?
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