What do you do when you can’t do it all?

Several years ago as I reflected at my long to do list I struggled; what should I let go of…what should I put my hand to?

Each to do listed on the paper seemed noble:

  • Homeschooling my kids
  • Women’s Ministry Director at Church
  • Writing and Completing my book
  • Training at my husband’s business
  • etc…etc…etc….

I couldn’t decide what to let go of. I wrestled with pros and cons to NO avail. In desperation I prayed, “God, I don’t know what you want me to do.” “I don’t want to miss out on what you want for my life.” What should I get rid of …I can’t do it all!

Friend, if you are in that place, hold on tight…and consider this:

When I was going through this time, God surprised me with His response, saying: “Julie, what do you enjoy?” I wasn’t expecting God to answer my question with a question. As I considered the thought, What do I enjoy? God peppered my thoughts with several others. Within seconds my mind considered my daughter Sommer who had just asked me similar questions that I had asked God. Mommy, I don’t know if I should do dance, cheer-leading, or soft ball. Which should I do? My response? Yep. You guessed it, Baby doll…which would you enjoy most? As I reflected on my conversation with her and God’s response to me, I also thought of the verse I had read earlier that morning…

In Genesis 13:14-17, “The LORD said to Abram after Lot had parted from him, “Lift up your eyes from where you are and look north and south, east and west. All the land that you see I will give to you and your offspring forever. I will make your offspring like the dust of the earth, so that if anyone could count the dust, then your offspring could be counted. Go, walk through the length and breadth of the land, for I am giving it to you.” (NIV)

Earlier in that passage Abram had told Lot: “Let’s not have any quarreling between you and me, or between your herdsmen and mine, for we are brothers. Is not the whole land before you? Let’s part company. If you go to the left, I’ll go to the right; if you go to the right, I’ll go to the left.” (NIV)

Abram told Lot to choose. God’s favor didn’t reside on the land to the left or the right; God’s favor resided on Abram.

OK. Stay with me…here’s how it all applies. God’s favor is on YOU! Though I believe most of the time He will instruct us to go to the left or the right…I also believe that sometimes He says Choose! He reminds us, My favor is on you! He asks us, What will you enjoy most?

Now be careful…God never tells us to choose between whether to live righteously or not…he doesn’t endorse us to live my life by whatever feels good. God NEVER tempts us to sin.

But if our choice is noble…noble…or noble… or … well you get it… I believe we need to consider the simple truth that HIS FAVOR IS ON US. NOT on what we do. NOT on what we participate in. NOT on our accomplishments. HIS BLESSING AND FAVOR are on US. His PURPOSE for our life will be accomplished. And as any good FATHER, He wants us to enjoy the life and blessing He has laid before us.

Today, as you consider the call GOD has for your life…I encourage you to consider:

  • What do you enjoy?
  • What would you do if you never got paid one penny for?
  • What do you love to do that seems effortless and not like work (even when you are working hard)?
  • And, could those passions be your purpose?

As you go into your weekend, I want to encourage you:

  • As you live surrendered to God, You can’t miss Him and you can’t mess it up.
  • God designed you on purpose for a purpose.
  • He will fulfill ALL that HE has promised you!