By Emilie Gruben.
I like to think of myself as an organized person. More often than not, though, that thought is an untrue one. However, I put lots of effort into making sure that I get the things done that I planned, because they needed to be finished or I wanted them to be. In order to help motivate myself through this process to success, I need to have goals. Making goals is extremely important and helpful. But are goals good? Should we rely on them to motivate us? And how can you make sure to prioritize what needs to be? A short article like today’s will be your answers!
I use a bullet journal to plan out my month. I have a monthly calendar overview, as well as a more in-depth weekly spread. I use the monthly spread to mark birthdays, appointments, and meetings. I use the weekly overviews to track less important but still necessary tasks like homework due dates, article assignments, and certain chores. These help me prioritize what absolutely has to get done, and what things should get done. This process reminds me of the sand and rock jar analogy.
A glass jar, both strong and fragile, represents your life and your time. It can hold many things, but if you cram them in, it could offer unpleasant results. Rocks represent your big goals and priorities. Pebbles represent smaller goals and priorities. And lastly, the sand represents the tiny tasks that you wish to get done, that add up over time, but don’t amount to much by themselves. If you put all of the sand in before the rocks and pebbles, then you won’t have space for the important tasks that take up space. But if you put the rocks in, first-the important things that can’t wait-followed by the lesser tasks, you will have a good portion of the jar filled with your goals met, and some time to spare. Then, you may add the sand, which will slip into the cracks and fill up the “time” space that remains. You have been able to accomplish all that you wanted and needed to.
This can help us visualize how we can make our priorities and goals coexist with our time. Family, church, and school can be your rocks. Chores, gardening, and small groups may be your pebbles. Organizing the spice cabinet, writing a letter, and matching socks could be the sand. Each of these are interchangeable to your needs and wishes. The recognition of what is most important is vital to organizing your time.
Once you know what you want to accomplish, you must ask yourself why. What are your motivations behind your goals? If you don’t finish those important tasks, will something happen as a consequence? How can you honor God through those important tasks? Col. 3:23 says “And whatever you do, do it heartily, as to the Lord and not to men.” So our goals should always be focused on the Lord, even if mundane tasks.
Our shortcomings and achievements here on earth do not determine our worth or relationship with God. If we don’t submit an assignment on time, don’t get the dinner prepared early, or have to cancel a trip, we are no less valuable in God’s eyes. Our goals should not be earthly treasures, but heavenly endeavors in Christ.
Phil. 3:12-14 reads “Not that I have already attained, or am already perfected; but I press on, that I may lay hold of that for which Christ Jesus has also laid hold of me. Brethren, I do not count myself to have apprehended; but one thing I do, forgetting those things which are behind and reaching forward to those things which are ahead, I press toward the goal for the prize of the upward call of God in Christ Jesus.”
To plan our lives is an act that we cannot truly do. We do not know the future, nor can we change it without God’s hand in it. He has planned our lives from the beginning of time, our very bodies being knit together. We must not try to plan everything and set our goals to be unachievable because of what God may have planned. We must be trusting of His timing and direction, and be willing to walk the path He makes. Jeremiah 29:11 gives us encouragement in this way. “For I know the thoughts that I think toward you, says the Lord, thoughts of peace and not of evil, to give you a future and a hope.” Nothing that happens, good or bad, in our sight, is intended for evil. God always has our best interest in mind, if we only pray and try to see it.
Post a Comment