Have you seen those message boards outside of some public restrooms that have lost dog flyers, job offers, and a dozen other random pieces of information posted on them? That’s very similar to what the inside of my brain looks like. At any given moment, you could peek into my brain (although I’d prefer if you wouldn’t… mostly for your sake) and see a hodge-podge of upcoming homework assignments, projects, personal goals, and the next snack or meal I’m daydreaming about at that time. As soon as I accomplish one task, another comes to the forefront of my mind. And eventually, it becomes exhausting.
My eyes were opened to how much I was missing out on because of this mindset in the summer of 2016. I had the privilege of spending a short time in Kenya, Africa. It was there that I felt the deepest, most encompassing peace that I’ve ever experienced. I think there are several reasons for this, but perhaps the most significant was the completely different culture and lifestyle I was surrounded by.
In America, we glorify productivity. We tend to determine whether or not we had a successful, good day based on how productive we were. If we checked off most of the items on our to-do lists, then it was a good day. In this small, Kenyan village their focus was not on productivity. They were focused on love. Hope. Community. Faith. Worship. Service. The Kenyans I met had significantly less possessions and access to opportunity than I do, yet they were so much more content and found joy in the difficult or seemingly mundane. Their number one priority was not productivity. And neither was Jesus’.
Based on every account I have read of Jesus in the New Testament, He did not live based on to-do lists or agendas. He didn’t rush through conversations or avoid those He saw in need because He wanted to get to the next place or project. On His way to Jericho, Jesus healed a blind man (Luke 18:35-43). When He and his disciples were resting and a huge crowd sought them out, He didn’t treat the situation like an inconvenience. He used it as an opportunity to meet their needs and share God’s power through one of the most memorable miracles in the Bible (Luke 6:30-44).
When Jesus went to Mary and Martha’s house, he was not impressed by Martha who was scurrying around, making sure her home was pristine and that the food was fabulous. He acknowledged Mary, because she was not too caught up in her own plans and activities to recognize that in that moment, she had an incredible opportunity to spend time with Jesus (Luke 10:39-42).
Sadly, most of the time I am Martha. I am so narrowly focused on my goals for my days, weeks, and months that I miss out on amazing opportunities are all around me. Yes, I would like to do well in school. Making money is wonderful. Staying focused is important.
But what’s even more important are the people I rush by on my way to class. Or the refreshing times of prayer and one-on-one time with God that I too often don’t make a priority. Or that breathtaking sunset I fail to appreciate because I’m hurrying to an appointment. I don’t want to miss those things anymore.
So in the next two weeks, I am going to be intentional about removing my to-do lists from their primary spot in my life and focus on maximizing the moments I’m given. Here’s how I’m going to start.
- Multi-task less.
I am the QUEEN of multitasking. I don’t just watch movies with my family. Noooo. I eat chips, scroll through Instagram, dry my nail polish, do an occasional wall sit WHILE watching a movie “with” my family. I’m going to attempt the art of single-tasking. (Although we tend to multitask so that we can get more done, single-tasking is actually more effective in increasing productivity. Ironic right?)
- Stop viewing interruptions in my schedule as “inconveniences” and start approaching them as opportunities.
When my brother wants to show me a YouTube video of strange bird sounds, or my mom has a question for me as I’m doing homework, I’ll try to remember that whatever I’m working on is not more important than the person I’m talking to.
- Spend time in God’s Word every day. No excuses.
Quality of life is infinitely better when I’m regularly seeking God’s truth through His word and prayer. Journaling is also an amazing way for me to process what I’m learning and it helps me to focus on the right things. I must make these practices priorities.
Committing to these three practices is not going to be easy. Taking a pause or straying away from my plans seems unnatural. But God often has something infinitely better awaiting us than anything we could plan for. I don’t want to miss opportunities to build community, grow spiritually, and appreciate the beauty in my daily life because I’m obsessed with productivity.
Want to join me in this mission? Follow me on Instagram @adultingwithash. Let’s focus on those 3 action points listed above, and encourage one-another in the process. Together, let’s make the most of every moment, even if at the time they feel insignificant or inconvenient in the midst of our busyness. Because sometimes it’s those “little” moments that turn out to be the most impactful and memorable ones of our lives.
~ash
Sometimes you will never know the value of a moment until it becomes a memory. Dr. Suess
In their hearts humans plan their course, but the LORD establishes their steps. Proverbs 16:9
*Pedestrians image from pixabay.com. Kenyan church service image taken by DJ or Thomas.*
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