I guess if we are honest we all have extra clutter in our lives. Those things that just seem to pile up over the place over the years. Anyone who has moved house recently knows about excess clutter!
In reflecting on this question my mind quickly went from clutter around the house, to the clutter in our lives. By this I mean the extra things we do because we think we “should” do them.
If we pause and reflect for a moment, we all probably have things in our life we do because we think we should. Sometimes it is our own expectations, sometimes it is because other people expect it of us.
This year while I have been on holidays I have put some very intentional thought in to the things I do and looking at the clutter in my life. I have titled it “My roles and goals for 2024”.
On this list I have intentionally stripped it back to the basics and included things that I feel God wants me to do. It includes God inspired goals, but also my private goals that do not conflict with His. And I have included my roles I have in my work and family.
Doing this is to give a clearer vision for 2024 and the things I need to focus on. This will give me more time and energy to focus on key things. And more time for downtime and rest. Which is just as important. We all need to enter in to God’s sabbath rest.
Years ago I read of what a well known Pastor did in his first years of ministry. Everyone had expectations of him. He was working seven days a week to fulfil them all. He had little rest and little downtime. He narrowed his focus to four key roles and said no to the rest. This helped shape the next forty years of his ministry. It gave him longevity.
I know personally it is hard to say no to many of the requests I get. As helpers we want to help. But as the older Pastor learned we have to narrow our focus if we are to serve long term and not get overloaded. We have all probably heard the old saying, “If you want something done, give it to a busy person, they will get it done”.
This is where God’s call on our lives comes in. What are we really called to do? We are called to our families first, then some type of paid work and some other ministry outside our home. Our callings and roles will all look different, but understanding them can help us keep focussed.
So returning to the question of “Where can you reduce clutter in your life?” For me it is about the extra things I do that are not really part of my calling. The things I do because of the expectations I have or others have for me. This is where I am starting and I believe it will give me a clearer focus in 2024.
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