The internet offers plenty of advice for maximizing time and effort in order to achieve success. The suggestions include:
- Prioritize and protect your agenda. Identify the crucial tasks for each day and focus on those items first. Limit interruptions; shut down distractions.
- Build an efficient routine into your schedule to streamline how time is allocated.
- Pursue your own goals; don’t let others set them for you.
- Network—especially with influential people who can expedite your success.
Jesus failed to follow any of that advice.
Instead:
His agenda shifted often, and he allowed frequent interruptions.
People interrupted his teaching and traveling all the time with requests for miracles. Jewish leaders interjected questions while he was speaking. When he tried to take the disciples to a quiet place for rest, the crowds followed, eager to hear him preach.
And out of compassion, Jesus complied. [1]
Sometimes even his interruptions were interrupted.
While answering a question of John the Baptist’s disciples one day, a ruler intruded upon the conversation, begging him to come and raise his daughter from the dead. En route to the ruler’s house, another interruption occurred when a woman touched his robe in hope of healing.[2]
It’s a wonder he ever arrived at his intended destinations.
Jesus had no routine.
Scripture seems to indicate Jesus lived in the moment—teaching, building relationships, healing, and performing miracles as opportunities presented themselves.
However, Christ did make time for important habits, including seclusion, prayer, and worship.[3]
Jesus’ overarching goal in life was to accomplish his Father’s goal.
“For I have come down from heaven
not to do my will but to do
the will of him who sent me.”
–John 6:38
Jesus set his sights on the joy awaiting him, when all earthly pain, frustration, and humiliation would be over and he’d be seated at the right side of his Father’s throne.[4]
Jesus built relationships, not a network.
At the end of three years, he’d assembled 120 followers.[5] That’s an average of 40 per year; less than one per week. Not very impressive.
Yet Jesus was the most successful Person who ever lived because:
True success is excellent living—
when a person’s thoughts, decisions,
and actions honor God.
–Chrystal Evans Hurst[6]
And Christ accomplished that perfectly.
Now, thousands of angels encircle his throne, giving Jesus praise, honor, and glory because of his triumph over sin and death.[7]
What about us? Are we focused on the culture’s view of success or God’s?
Do we accept—even celebrate—what he chooses to do through us and then leave the results to him?
* * * * * * * * * * * *
Lord God, help me to be a failure like Jesus! I confess that worldly standards of success cloud my vision of what true excellence entails: obedience to you. Remind me you know what you’re doing and you do all things well; circumstances are not reliable indicators. I reaffirm my trust in you whose works are always perfect.
(Jeremiah 7:23; Proverbs 19:21; Deuteronomy 32:4)
[1] Matthew 9:18-19; 21:23-24; 20:29-34; Mark 6:30-34
[2] Matthew 9:14-26
[3] Mark 1:35; Luke 4:16
[4] Hebrews 12:2
[5] Acts 1:15
[6] Kingdom Woman Devotional, Tyndale House Publishers (2013), p. 49.
[7] Revelation 5
Art & photo credits: http://www.pixabay.com (2); http://www.freebibleimages.org (2); http://www.canva.com; http://www.dailyverses.net; http://www.pxhere.com; http://www.canva.com.
From the Inside Out 