Talent and time spent in praising the Lord is all well and good but have we forgotten the big picture which is, loving God?
It is not always easy to discipline oneself and remain focused, in order to complete a plan. Doing so can be frustrating, especially when there is much to be done. Although following a plan is not always easy, it is necessary if we want to accomplish a goal.
Many of us get bogged down when working on the small steps and make a mountain out of a molehill with what was trivial. . By doing this, we mismanage time and lose focus of our original intent.
No matter what task we have to accomplish, it is always important to reflect and refocus our thoughts on the important goals. Some like to create ‘To Do’ lists as a guide to help them with their daily tasks. Sometimes, these lists are so long and complicated that they seem like crowded trees in a forest. How do we prevent ourselves from becoming in the midst of many details? How do we keep remembering the big picture? When it comes to serving in the Kingdom of God, then our big picture is ‘Loving God’.
Let us for a moment step back and take an overview of what are our God-given goals. What have we accomplished? What is yet to be done? What boundaries have been established along the way? What skills have we developed that would enable us to accomplish purpose? From this vantage point we will be on the road to achieving and accomplishing our purpose and mission. This time of study and retrospection is important and necessary.
Let us review our goals, the goals of the ministry and mission. Observe how they have changed or developed over time, and then create new goals showing how you plan to accomplish the big picture.
May we show that we love God by obediently doing what He has called us to do. In that way we will keep sight of the big picture.
John 14:15 Jesus said, “If you love me, keep my commandments.
“If you love me, show it by doing what I’ve told you. I will talk to the Father, and he’ll provide you another Friend so that you will always have someone with you. This Friend is the Spirit of Truth. The godless world can’t take him in because it doesn’t have eyes to see him, doesn’t know what to look for. But you know him already because he has been staying with you, and will even be in you!
18-20“I will not leave you orphaned. I’m coming back. In just a little while the world will no longer see me, but you’re going to see me because I am alive and you’re about to come alive. At that moment you will know absolutely that I’m in my Father, and you’re in me, and I’m in you.
21“The person who knows my commandments and keeps them, that’s who loves me. And the person who loves me will be loved by my Father, and I will love him and make myself plain to him.”
22Judas (not Iscariot) said, “Master, why is it that you are about to make yourself plain to us but not to the world?”
23-24“Because a loveless world,” said Jesus, “is a sightless world. If anyone loves me, he will carefully keep my word and my Father will love him—we’ll move right into the neighborhood! Not loving me means not keeping my words. The message you are hearing isn’t mine. It’s the message of the Father who sent me.
