I am very excited to share this post from Gary Barkalow. Gary and Leigh have had a major impact on our hearts in the past six years with their work with Ransomed Heart. Now they are launching their own ministry focusing on Gary's passion of seeing people walking fully in their glory and brilliance by meeting their destiny head on. We love their vision and we love them! The Noble Heart
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I've been asking God these days to help me to distinguish
between great and small events - for my morning as well as for my life.
With all that is going around me and all that is going on within me, this feels
like an important question. It was Winston Churchill who said,
"When a man cannot distinguish a great from a small event, he is of no
use."
Is catching up on my e-mail backlog a great or a small event? It's great
as far as the size of the task, but is it what is needed in this moment?
Or how about that person I've been thinking I need to call for the past two
weeks - great or small? What about that book that just came to mind that
I never finished reading? Or the errands I could run this day?
Distinguishing between a great and small event is not simply about good
time-management skills. Rather, it is about being orientated, tuned in,
living transcendently - with the belief that there is more going on than I am
currently aware of and the story I am living in is bigger than myself.
I was reading Eph. 5:15-17; "Therefore be careful how you walk, not as
unwise men but as wise, making the most of your time, because the days are
evil. So then do not be foolish, but understand what the will of the
Lord is."
There is a lot at stake these days, everything from the global economy, to the
elections, to our families, to the person who is just about to give up out of
despair and can be rescued with a word. A friend of mine just sent me a
quote by Francis Frangipane, "Rescue is the constant pattern of God's
activity." God is up to rescuing, healing the brokenhearted and
setting captives free, and we are to be a display of his splendor (Isa.
61). So, there is more going on than we have ever imagined and the way we
live is more consequential than we may have been told.
I want to live wisely, I want to understand the purpose of my life in this
moment and offer what I have been given to offer.
When Paul says that we are to make the most of our time he is not saying that
efficiency, thoroughness or precision is needed. He is implying something
more difficult, more adventurous, something that will require much more of our
heart and our walk with God - understanding the meaning of the present moment,
-- distinguishing our own great from small events.
I am coming to a deeper understanding that I can't simply live at the level of
getting stuff done each day. And, that what may appear to me to be a
minor, inconsequential task may actually be a rescue in the true scheme of
things.
So, I must ask God throughout the day, what is the meaning of this moment, what
are the great events, is there someone You want me to offer to, or are You
offering something to me that I need right now?
The Amplified Bible translates this verse as, "Live purposefully & worthily
& accurately, not as the unwise and witless, but as wise -- sensible,
intelligent people; making the very most of the time because the days are
evil. Therefore do not be vague & thoughtless & foolish, but
understanding & firmly grasping what the will of the Lord is."
Walking wisely with you,
Gary
