Humble Evaluation of Our Choices

Today’s blog corresponds to one of the points from Andy’s message at the Family Life Meeting on Saturday Night. If you didn’t have a chance to hear the message you can download soon here.

We can enjoy peace in busyness through humble evaluation of our choices

SIGNS THAT YOU MIGHT NEED TO WORK IN THIS AREA:

• You’re having regular conflicts in your marriage or family about schedule conflicts
• There is a consistent gap between what you want life to look like and how it actually is working
• You tend to justify things you’ve done after the fact

Vision from God’s Word:

Psalm 85:7-13 7 Show us your steadfast love, O LORD, and grant us your salvation. 8 Let me hear what God the LORD will speak, for he will speak peace to his people, to his saints; but let them not turn back to folly. 9 Surely his salvation is near to those who fear him, that glory may dwell in our land. 10 Steadfast love and faithfulness meet; righteousness and peace kiss each other. 11 Faithfulness springs up from the ground, and righteousness looks down from the sky. 12 Yes, the LORD will give what is good, and our land will yield its increase. 13 Righteousness will go before him and make his footsteps a way.

Enjoying Peace Through Application:

1. Make a list of all the significant responsibilities that fill up your calendar. When your done, prayerfully prioritize these items by placing numbers next to them. One is the top priority. When you are finished ask the questions:

· Which of my high priorities do I most often neglect? Why is that?
· Do my schedule priorities reflect God’s priorities in scripture for me?
· Is there a place where my spouse and I disagree on what is more important? Who can we invite into our lives to help us talk through any disagreements
· How do your priorities compare with other believers around you? Who could you show your list to for fresh evaluation?

2. What in your schedule has a trumping effect. Make a list of items which have the effect of “bumping” things off your calendar. Try to think of three things. Then sit down with your spouse and evaluate whether these items are appropriately invading your calendar. Caring for a sick relative, for instance, may be reeking havoc on your calendar but be God’s unique call upon your life in this season. Pressure from your son’s baseball schedule, on the other hand, may need to be evaluated.

3. What church events are important for your family in this season, how does your calendar reflect this priority?

4. Do you have a pressure season in your work, school, or home? Tax accountants, for instance, are going to have a busy schedule around tax season. How can you plan for these temporary challenges in your schedule? What might you do, before and after these challenging seasons to ensure you don’t get derailed by them?