Category: Time Management

Where is Your True Worth Found?

Published on by Kim

When you look at your to-do list for the day, how do you feel? Are the tasks opportunities to serve or overwhelming objects of dread?

“So God created man in His own image, in the image of God He created him; male and female he created them.” — Genesis 1:27

Please let this be a reminder to you: Your to-do list is not the way you earn value. God is infinitely worthy, and His image in you, His creation, gives you value in His sight. In addition, as a child of God, you are a glorious new creation in Christ (Ephesians 4:24). What a treasure!

This value is already set. Your search for significance has already been answered. Because of this, you have both the privilege and responsibility to show God’s worth and character in every part of life.

“See what kind of love the Father has given to us, that we should be called children of God; and so we are.” — I John 3:1

Nancy DeMoss Wolgemuth put it this way:

Human dignity and value and worth is not based on what we can produce, or our achievements, or our IQ, or our abilities, or our earning power, or our physical abilities or disability, or how we measure up to others. Our dignity, worth, and value is based on the fact that we were created in the image of God. … You were created to reflect the image of God.

To devalue or harm human life is to devalue God. …We are the apple of His eye.

Since you do not need to prove your worth today, just enjoy the gracious gift of life, you can look at all your “things to do” as ways to love God, to show His value, not prove your worth. Shake off that oppressive weight and walk in what you have been made to be.

Each task on your to-do list is a chance to reflect your status as one called by God to show His love in many ways. Your responsibilities allow you to give glory to God as you diligently work. Your acts of service — no matter how small — are ways you love your neighbor and fulfill the second greatest commandment.

Walk confidently in this grace today, my friends.

Don’t Shoot Yourself in the Foot

Published on by Kim

“When you besiege a city for a long time, making war against it in order to take it, you shall not destroy its trees by wielding an axe against them. You may eat from them, but you shall not cut them down. Are the trees in the field human, that they should be besieged by you? Only the trees that you know are not trees for food you may destroy and cut down, that you may build siegeworks against the city that makes war with you, until it falls.” — Deuteronomy 20:19-20

The nation of Israel is being instructed before entering the Promised Land to conquer it before settling in to enjoy it. How should they proceed? What will ensure success? God gave them specific and comprehensive instructions, including how to choose trees for use when mounting a siege.

Trees come in handy when building a tower to assault the city walls. Cut them down; they’ll grow again! Yes, they will, but it will take a while. Once the city is conquered, someone will be living in it. Fruit trees will be useful in the near future, so think before cutting.

Thinking one more step ahead is helpful more often than not. It may look like a good solution at first glance, but will it still be as good tomorrow, or even this afternoon? Most of the time, this is a mental habit we simply need to exercise. It’s nothing exotic or a talent only a few can have. You can do it, and it will pay off.

If you would like to get better at thinking one more step ahead, there are some things you can do other than just pausing to do it.

  • You can make a physical reminder for yourself, like a sticky note on the kitchen cupboard or the front of your planner. This functions as a mini-inspirational poster in your daily life (only much cheaper).
  • Some people may be better at this than you. If so, ask them when you are considering a next step. What do they see as potential pitfalls in your next actions? “Where there is no guidance, a people falls, but in an abundance of counselors there is safety.” (Proverbs 11:!4)
  • If you know someone, in your office or in your home, who could be asked to helpfully (not annoyingly) ask you before you start something, “Are you sure?”, that could be a great trigger for you to pause, reconsider, and confidently more forward.