Many days, I have several projects calling for my attention. My novel simmers, waiting for me to stir the pot. My blog hovers, the due date pecking like a bird. A class needs to be prepared, notes and ideas for slides sprouting like dandelions. Short stories whisper their songs in my ear.
Those of you who know me know I’m a dedicated believer in time management, in controlling my schedule to ensure there is always time for writing, my first priority.
In my prayer time recently I came across the concept that awesome responsibility comes with the free will God has given us. Each day we are presented with numerous choices. Some seem relatively mundane. Should I take a shower today? If you have to ask, take the shower. In fact, many of our choices are like this. What to wear? What to eat? We make many choices by default, without much thought. And most of the time, that’s fine.
But there are other choices that are not so minor or trivial. What do I do with my work time? Do I do what I have to do to advance myself or to just make it through the day? Do I give it my best? Where is God as I’m going through my day?
Too often, I forget to make pleasing him my focal point. I’ve discovered when I do this, I can easily lose my![MP900285118[1]](https://www.henrymclaughlin.org/wp-content/uploads/2012/04/MP9002851181-300x194.jpg)
way and the day fritters away. At the end, it feels like I haven’t accomplished anything.
God reminded me of Matthew 6:33 NLT: To seek his kingdom above all else and to live righteously—which I do by the choices I make—and he will give me all I need.
When I seek to please him, he will not desert me. John 8:29 NLT
That morning of prayer and listening to him reminded me that whatever I do for a living, I ultimately do for him. In all my jobs, even working for the state, I worked to bring honor to him. I don’t need to preach or evangelize. I simply need to let him show through.
As a writer, the words I choose to tell the stories he gives me are my choice. Do I give my best to this effort? Do I ever cop the attitude that it’s good enough? Even when I know it isn’t my best, when I just phoned it in to make my word count or meet a due date?
What do you do when you face this choice?
Great post! You’ve given me lots to consider! My best effort has changed tremendously as I’ve attended writing conferences and read books on how to improve my stories. I try to see myself as a WIP in a constant state of revision. 🙂
You are so right, Diane. We are all in process and being revised and refined. What an exciting adventure to be on.