Will I Ever Be Done?

Have you ever asked this? I used to think that at some point, I get to say "I'm Done." Some age, whatever that age might be, would be my signal that I've made it and I can relax and let others do all the work. Let others minister. Let others help. Let others take classes and volunteer for things. Maybe you can relate? We work and strive and do - and we get tired! When can we be done? There are a few things I've learned about this mindset.

I'm never going to "be done" while I'm still on Earth - and thank goodness for that. As God's children, we are works-in-progress. We want to continue to grow, to learn, to expand, every day! Every day we want to grow closer to Him and to who He made us to be. And to do this, we spend time with Him, spend time in His word, spend time with His people. It takes energy and commitment - and a willingness to always be willing to expand what has become our comfort zone.

I know what you're probably thinking -- GREAT, so I will just be tired for the rest of my life? With all I have to do every day, how do I continue growing with God, and get everything that's already on my plate finished?

Here's something I've learned - God doesn't want us continually striving and pushing and adding more stuff. He is a God of love and peace and comfort. He wants our time with Him to BECOME our life. It's not something we add to our already-full plate - it's a shift of focus to start with Him and stay with Him throughout our days. If we can do that, He can show us ways to get things done without all the pushing and striving. Focusing on God can't be one more thing on your to-do list. Focusing on God is how you make your to-do list!

“Commit to the Lord whatever you do, and he will establish your plans.”

Proverbs‬ ‭16‬:‭3‬ ‭NIV‬‬

If we can go to God first, the Bible tells us that He will make our plans for us. He will tell us what He wants from us each day to further His kingdom. Do I go to Him first every day? No - I fail often. But I serve a God who gives grace and love always. So I try and try again!

There are so many different ways we can have Him become to focus of our lives and to go to Him for our plan. For me, I had to develop a habit of starting with Him each morning, which meant getting up 30 minutes earlier. Now for those of you who know me well - I didn't like this at all! I like my sleep. I'm not an early morning person. But I found that if I didn't do it right then, I wouldn't do it! And now I wouldn't trade this time for anything.

Your way may be different. Maybe you still have children at home that need to help get them ready for school or maybe you are headed out to your work each morning. Mornings may not work for you. What about evenings, after dinner and kids' bedtimes? Maybe you go into a room and shut the door. Maybe you go to your bedroom and shut the door. Maybe you take your lunch break and focus on God while having a break. Find ways that work for you in your particular season in life.

Then, I try to develop habits of getting little moments of rest through Him during my day. I set alarms on my phone to get up from my home office and walk outside, take some deep breaths, get a glass of water. I sit on my back deck and feel the breeze and watch the birds. I try to do things that fill my soul, even if it's just for 5 minutes.

Again, your way may be different. Maybe it's listening to a praise song while you're cooking dinner. Maybe it's praying silently while your child is doing their homework. Maybe you can read a blog while your husband watches football. Whatever works for you, find those small moments of time when you can just pause and fill your cup.

When you first begin these new habits, it will take discipline and commitment. Some days you may not feel like it; I would encourage you to do it anyway. I think you will find, as the days go by, that you begin to have more energy, more contentment, more joy! Then you may find that you long for more learning, more growing, more stretching! You may start to find that you don't want to ever "be done!"

I would love to hear from you in the comments. Share ways that work for you in your daily life - how have you found ways to focus on God and refill your cup?

Vickie