I’m feeling convicted.

I’m often busy, but not as often busy doing what’s important.

I came to this conviction after reading C.J. Mahaney’s series on Biblical productivity. C.J. explains:

Busyness does not mean I am diligent
Busyness does not mean I am faithful
Busyness does not mean I am fruitful

Ouch.

And he has a word for the procrastinators amongst us. Here’s an insightful quote by Scottish preacher, Alexander MacLaren:

No unwelcome tasks become any the less unwelcome by putting them off till tomorrow. It is only when they are behind us and done, that we begin to find that there is a sweetness to be tasted afterwards, and that the remembrance of unwelcome duties unhesitatingly done is welcome and pleasant. Accomplished, they are full of blessing, and there is a smile on their faces as they leave us. Undone, they stand threatening and disturbing our tranquility, and hindering our communion with God. If there be lying before you any bit of work from which you shrink, go straight up to it, and do it at once. The only way to get rid of it is to do it.

C.J. comes to the conclusion that to be faithful, productive and fruitful for the glory of God, requires him to accomplish three things:

1. determine my present God-given roles,
2. determine specific, theologically informed goals, and
3. transfer these goals into my schedule.

This series challenged me in a number of ways:

I have been challenged to consider the roles that God has placed me in (Christian, son, fiance, friend, MTS trainee - among others).
I have been challenged to set goals for these roles (C.J explains that his goals revolve around serving and surprising those with whom he interacts within those roles).
I’ve been challenged as I’ve realised that I am easily distracted by what is of secondary importance, and challenged to prioritise (i.e. make suitable time for) what is of primary importance. As C.J. puts it, just because I’m busy, doesn’t mean I’m devoted to what’s most important.
I’ve been challenged that my schedule for each week must reflect the goals that I have prayerfully considered, that are derived from the roles that God has given me.

The series ends with a great reminder - only God gets his to-do list done each day. We need that reminder.

And you, like me, might also benefit from reading this series. It’s an easy 36-page spread - I pray we might not just be busy, but also be faithful, productive and fruitful - honouring God with our time.

Read on…

Check out the 17-part series blog post series on productivity.

Download the complete series ‘C.J Mahaney on Biblical Productivity’ ”

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COMPETITION WINNERS

David McKay
Calum Henderson
David Ung
David Ould
Chris Little

Find out more about the methods Steve used to select the winners at his blog spot.