My Choices Control My Calendar

In Galatians 6:5 I read, “We are each responsible for our own conduct.” (NLT)

My choices are far more powerful than my circumstances.

I can see this more clearly in how I spend my time. I may not like how complicated and busy life has become. But with few exceptions, no one is forcing me to keep my life that complicated.

I have the power to simplify my life. In fact, God expects me to assume responsibility for my calendar and to carefully choose how I spend my time.

Do I really know how much time I have here on earth? I have just enough time to do God’s will. In other words, I’ve been given just enough time to fulfill my purpose. When I try to do more than God planned for me, it’s only natural that I’ll find myself constantly out of time or stressed over my schedule.

If the Devil can’t make me bad, he’ll make me busy. He’ll get me so busy that I don’t have time for the important stuff, time alone with God, ministry, and mission.

What do I need to let go of? The Bible says in 1 Corinthians 10:23, “‘Everything is permissible,’ but not everything is helpful” (HCSB). This means: A lot of things aren’t necessarily wrong; they’re just not necessary. Life often means choosing either “Am I going to do something good?” or “Am I going to do what’s best?”

Take time this week to pray over my calendar. Ask God to show me what parts of it are part of his purpose for me. As I do this, I may find relief from stress and a new sense of satisfaction as I do only the things God created me to do.

In summary, I am responsible for my own conduct. My choices are far more powerful than my circumstances. I can see this more clearly in how I spend my time. I may not like how complicated and busy life has become. But with few exceptions, no one is forcing me to keep my life that complicated. I have the power to simplify my life. God expects me to assume responsibility for my calendar and to carefully choose how I spend my time. I have just enough time to do God’s will. I’ve been given just enough time to fulfill my purpose. When I try to do more than God planned for me, it’s only natural that I’ll find myself constantly out of time or stressed over my schedule. If the Devil can’t make me bad, he’ll make me busy. He’ll get me so busy that I don’t have time for the important stuff, time alone with God, ministry, and mission. What do I need to let go of? A lot of things aren’t necessarily wrong; they’re just not necessary. Life often means choosing either “Am I going to do something good?” or “Am I going to do what’s best?” So I should pray over my calendar and ask God to show me what parts of it are part of his purpose for me. I will find relief from stress and a new sense of satisfaction as I do only the things God created me to do.

Father, thank you for Your Word and Jesus as my savior and example. You want me and I need you in my life. Please give me Your strength for today and remind me in little ways that I can always believe in, have faith in and can trust you in everything. This includes being the authority for my life, the source of my self-worth and my hope for the future. You have my best interests in mind. So I ask you to help me to embrace the way you’ve made me; my gifting and passions. Help me to serve and fulfill the mission you have in mind for me. 

Today, I ask you for wisdom and guidance for my day, my work, my leadership, my interactions with others, doing well and making a difference in my new job.  I pray all these things through you Son Jesus’ name, Amen.