How to Live on Mission Within Measure

“Commit your work to the Lord,
    and your plans will be established.”
Proverbs 16:3 (ESV)

“Michelle, can I introduce you to someone?”

Before the service started, my friend asked me this question at church one morning. “They’re about your age and would like to get connected.”

“Sure,” I replied. I made my way over to meet a new visitor. She stood tall, wore a pretty spring dress, and had the perfect smile.

“This is Michelle. She does…pretty much everything at this church!”

I smiled, made small talk, and helped this new young woman feel welcome that morning. When I went home and reflected on that statement, I realized I am doing a lot to serve. Almost too much.

On top of a full-time job, I’m writing and speaking. At church, I serve on multiple teams: production, prayer, outreach, office volunteer. I lead a small group, attend another group, and have cultivated a women’s community at my campus. I volunteer at the larger church women’s events, as well. Every time I seek the Lord about cutting back, He continues to provide in those areas. I’m grateful for the growth, don’t get me wrong. I just need a better balance for my ministry and my sanity.

At first, staying busy was a coping strategy during a hard season. Keeping myself on a mission helped me heal. But now, there are days when it can be too much. My heart is willing, available, and passionate to serve in any way I can. But I also need to schedule rest for myself.

How can I be on mission for God without over-committing? How can I continue to serve passionately without burning out?

I sought the Lord, went to Scripture, and a couple of trusted friends with my predicament. One suggestion was to make a list of my priorities and commit to each thing according to their priority on my list. While this suggestion could be helpful for some, it wasn’t what resonated with me. Another recommendation was to serve as the Lord leads. That’s where I’ve planted myself, trusting the Lord and asking for discernment as to where I invest myself and my time.

Proverbs 16:3 says “Commit your work to the Lord, and your plans will be established.” (ESV)

If my work does not match what the Lord wants for me, if it’s not committed to Him, it will not succeed. 

In Psalm 127:1a, Solomon says “Unless the Lord builds the house, those who build it labor in vain.” (ESV)

To “labor in vain” is to strive for an accomplishment, only for the work to be rendered worthless. The original Hebrew for “in vain” translates to “evil, idolatry, uselessness.” If I’m going to spend my days working, I don’t want to do evil. I don’t want my work to become an idol. Even my ministry…especially my ministry. My work for God cannot go before my relationship with God. And I really don’t want my efforts to be for nothing.

I figured out what I needed, and in response, I designed a “priority planner.” I designated topics for each of my current commitments.

• Time with God
• Work
• Family and friends
• Church and ministry
• Personal
• Home

I prayed, asking God to remind me of every responsibility I have. I wrote down each commitment in the proper section. When I finished, I asked God to help me see the patterns and discern what needed to change. I’m doing a lot in ministry…and a lot overall. How frequently am I doing each of these? What is necessary to keep? Where can I cut back?

The first time I did this practice, I mapped out my long-term commitments. The second time, I focused on my daily tasks.

I love everything I’m doing, but I don’t have the time, energy, or resources to give to everything. So, I’m choosing to do some things.

Some necessary changes:

• Designated time with God is a daily non-negotiable.
• I will limit serving on Sunday mornings to once a month, with the exception of special events.
• The group I lead will continue to meet bi-weekly, or every 3 weeks if there is a holiday. (This may be the commitment to cut, should the Lord ask that of me.)
• I don’t have as much time to give for other volunteer opportunities. Depending on the day and time, I will continue those in a lower capacity.
• I want to continue pressing into women’s ministry, discipleship, and prayer. This includes my church and personal ministries.
• I will only read one book at a time and/or do one Bible study at a time. (Not counting devotional books, which I often use to start and end my day.)
• I will limit my time on social media to 15 minutes each day. I will eliminate social media use one day a week (Meda-Less Mondays are now a thing.)
• I will only work out 3 times a week and keep my gym membership as such. (Due to time commitments and rest.)
• I will schedule rest into my daily routines. This may be working with flower preservation, watercolors, playing with my cat, or taking a nap. It will always be resting in the presence of the Lord and allowing Him to lead this time.

I’m a couple weeks in and I’m doing a decent job at maintaining these boundaries. I’m still finding that it’s a lot for my schedule and I put a lot of pressure on myself. I started saying “no” to extra opportunities at work and in ministry, even though it’d give my reputation a boost. I’m focusing on life-giving relationships and following the promptings of the Holy Spirit.

I’m choosing rest over resumé. 

Reflect:

Do you find yourself in a busy season?

What strategies or tools can help you balance your time and energy more efficiently?

In any aspect of your life, do you feel you are laboring in vain? If so, what might you do to change?

Resource:

Click here to download a copy of my “Priority Planner.” You can print the file as full sheets (great for long-term planning) or half-sheets (ideal for daily tasks). The smaller pages allow you to easily tuck away the page in your agenda. Never lose sight of your priorities, no matter how booked you might be. If you find this resource helpful, let me know in the comments below!