Necessary Things

Have you ever awaken to a hard-pressed schedule, and not have time to think things through? Reaction to the stresses of the day pull you this way, and that, and before you know it you are probably running off the track and not having the focus you planned on having when you laid your head down the previous night.

What are the Necessary Things that you should be focused on accomplishing today? Where are your success factors? What is your win?

I say this often, it’s not about Needs vs Wants, and one winning out over the other, rather, it’s about the concept of knowing what’s Necessary for my life so I can be productive, satisfied, focused, and in alignment with who I’m meant to be, doing what I’m designed to do, and “focus, focus, focus!”

How do you do this? Well, this works for me. It’s a large letter “T” drawn on a scrap of paper, and I begin to list out the pros and cons. Analyze the results, make your choice, and then push forward with my mind made up – the pros leading the way!

Word of warning! It’s wise to check back in with that list to see if it still makes sense. That means being organized enough to know where that list might be stored!

This morning, headed on an early errand, I pause for a cup of coffee and some busy street time. My technology is ready to refer to, my mobile devices are fired up and ready to plan, and my coffee is hot and steaming…

Now. What’s necessary?

I’ve shared this often, but I have a morning routine that works for me. Coffee, hot, dark and black! Focus. Prayer. Scripture. News Review. Thinking. Planning. Documenting. Calendar review. Schedule. Then get up and get busy doing what I’m scheduled to do!

A scripture rings through my mind… bring every thought into captivity… Wait. I’m getting ahead of myself. Let me finish my thought in an organized fashion!

I’ve learned that with a busy street scene just a few feet away, I can be totally focused, or easily distracted. And, I’ve learned that some of the most innocuous things can distract, or bring me into focus. I cannot tell you why. What I do know is that if my focus is laser sharp then I will accomplish a lot in a few minutes.

Think this through! It’s easy to be distracted by the baubles and trinkets that dangle in our attention span! But Focus is Needed! Let’s keep the Main Thing the Main Thing!

I have this tweet anchored to the top of my profile.

At some point, you realize what you are doing is what God intended for you. Enjoy the calling. Stretch your wings and fly with it. You were made especially for your situation…

When you are tired it is harder to focus. When your focus blurs around the edges, then perhaps you need a power rest to recoup the ability to focus. This Rest has Purpose! It’s time to recoup your strength! I’m a fan for pulling over to a roadside park, slip into a quiet shaded parking space, leaning back and closing my eyes for 10-15 minutes. Rested and refreshed, I continue my Forward, Ho!

It was my Junior year in High School, an English class for some reason, and it followed right after Lunch…in a school that still had no A/C…in Texas! Did I say Hot and Humid? Get the picture? Not the best place and time to focus on a subject that somehow eluded me. One day, a “power nap” turned into an all-out “passed out” state and I woke well into the next class period, late, late, late!
And my legs were sound asleep!

The other thing I know about myself is that missing a tool in my backpack can distract me from focusing on the task at hand. I’m not sure why this bugs me so, but to get around this I strive to ensure everything is prepared for the Focus Session!

Now, think about this process in light of what should be important to you, but often gets less attention that your career… Self, Family, Spiritual.

When we reach the end and look over the scope of life, I’m sure we will never think, “Oh, I should have worked more hours…”. What we will regret the most will be related to the times we wasted not focusing on Spiritual and Family needs. Nothing else will matter.

Here’s my thought today. The Apostle Paul dealt with the issues of life and death, flesh and spiritual necessity, doing what we are called to do but not forgetting those things which we should also be doing. From all his letters and training given to churches and saints, one thought rings out through several of his writings.

For the weapons [tools] of our warfare [trade] are not carnal
but mighty in God
for pulling down strongholds,
casting down arguments and
every high thing that exalts itself against the knowledge of God,
bringing every thought into captivity to the obedience of Christ,
and being ready to punish all disobedience when your obedience is fulfilled.
(2 Corinthians 10:4-6 NKJV)

The Tools we were given are Mighty in God! Think about it! You have a powerful ally and are given rare and precious tools to use in your daily challenge! Focus on what you should be doing with the tools you have been given, and keep obeying Christ! In everything. Paul lists out his credentials in Philippians 3 but brings out the Focus given to him on that blinding road to Damascus.

Yet indeed I also count all things loss
for the excellence of the knowledge of Christ Jesus my Lord,
for whom I have suffered the loss of all things,
and count them as rubbish,
that I may gain Christ and be found in Him,
not having my own righteousness, which is from the law,
but that which is through faith in Christ,
the righteousness which is from God by faith;
that I may know Him and the power of His resurrection,
and the fellowship of His sufferings,
being conformed to His death,
(Philippians 3:8-10 NKJV)

Today. I want to be focused with a purpose to accomplish the necessary things He has put into my path to handle. It may not be what I want to accomplish, rather, it’s what I need to do!

What’s part of my daily prayer? “Lord, put someone in my path who is closest to eternity and let me be a difference.” This idea helps me not to see people as obstacles, rather, they may be part of God’s plan for my day.

Could you not pray this kind of prayer for every issue you face today? From your family, to the stranger. From your schedule, to God’s interruption of your schedule. From your desire, to God’s plan…

Now. Get out there and make the day successful!