Welcome! Have you ever heard the expression, “The good is the enemy of the great?” There are so many good ways to spend our time that interfere with the great ways. Let me explain.
Last week was crazy overscheduled. I had an eye doctor’s follow-up appointment, needed to get a crown on a bicuspid, shuttled my kids to friends’ houses, and had to take my daughter for a sports and driver’s permit physical. (Oh, yeah—I just wrote that. She’s ready to get behind the wheel.) All this was wedged in around my other day-to-day activities.
I’m about ready to find a quiet place and take a writer’s retreat. I can’t seem to get enough writing done at home.
It’s so easy to put off my calling—writing—in order to do good things, such as housework, running the kids around, and going to doctors’ appointments.
A friend from a writer’s conference once said the greatest enemy to productive writing time is the tyranny of the urgent.
It’s so true. There’s nothing inherently wrong with any of the ways I spent my time last week, but I didn’t write enough, and the words God writes through me have the potential to change lives. Washing dishes doesn’t.
I never know whose hearts my work will touch. I always pray God will use my columns to bless all my readers. But each column might be intended for one specific person above all others.
Consider the Samaritan woman at the well from John 4. Jesus flat-out told her he is the Messiah. The only other person he told, besides the disciples, was the man born blind in John 9.
The Samaritan woman then told everyone in town about Jesus. Many believed in him because of her testimony. When they personally heard him speak, even more put their faith in him.
But it all started with one person.
I never know where God will use my words. Neither do you. You may be sent specifically to someone who needs to hear exactly what you have to say. You may have experienced what he or she is experiencing. Your wisdom and encouragement just might transform their perspective, and as a result, their life.
You don’t know the good you can do if you allow the great to take precedence over the good.
I’m not recommending giving up washing dishes. I’m definitely not advising against exercising or going to the doctor or dentist. But when you feel God nudging you to text or call someone, do it. Don’t procrastinate in order to finish a trivial task. Mowing the lawn can wait. So can that pile of laundry.
When you feel God urging you to go somewhere, go. When you sense the Holy Spirit wants you to take on a responsibility, do it. You never know who God will place in your path. If you ignore God’s voice, it’ll rob you and your intended audience of a gift. That’s not good. And it’s definitely not great.
Choose the great. Have a wonderful week. Blessings!