Do you want to be great?

Dave Overholt speaking at the Allegheny conference. Photo by Donnie Rosie. 

Last week I learned of a very helpful exercise in determining how to invest my energy and efforts.

I was attending one day of the Christian Camp and Conference Association's Allegheny sectional (http://mmrm.org/manualcontent/CCCA-Fireside-2015.pdf) and thus got to hear the speaker during one main session.

Dr. Dave Overholt (as you will see on the brochure found at the above link) “is the founding and lead pastor of Church on the Rock (Hamilton, Ontario) which grew out of a cooperative of youth groups. For fun Dave heads up the Youth Family department at Tyndale Seminary, has written several Canadian bestsellers and speaks on the road to thousands each year.”

I had heard from other Joy El staff members (that's where I serve in ministry: www.joyelgeneration.org) that the speaker was good this year, but I got to confirm this Tuesday night.

Dave encouraged and exhorted us. He made us laugh uproariously and pause reflectively. He was scripturally sound and relevant to our audience.

Here is the point he made that will most stick with me:

Dave was once advised to list his activities and demands on his time, and then ask himself, "Do I want to be great at this?"

For example, you might ask,

I like to golf, but do I want to be a GREAT golfer?

I work at a pizza parlor, but do I long to make GREAT pizza?

I'm an accountant, but do I want to be a GREAT one?

I have three children, but do I truly want to be a GREAT mother?

When you find your heart resounding with a genuine “YES!” that is where you invest your energy.

When your response is closer to a shrug, then cross that activity off your list. You may now invest that valuable energy into the other things on your list that ask greatness of you.

As Dave challenged us in this, it resonated with what God has been doing in me. I did an exercise in creating a personal mission statement last year that really helped me better discern where I should be investing my resources (including emotionally). When something fits within my present purpose in life (which is determined by my unique gifting, circumstances and passions), I can more readily agree to opportunities presented to me. When it doesn't, I can decline with more freedom than in past.

Dave seemed to refine this even further for me.

While I have determined based on consistent feedback that I am gifted to teach, when I ask myself, "Do I want to be a GREAT teacher?" I can easily decide that, no, I don't. I will continue to use this gift when presented with opportunities that are clearly from God and relevant to how I'm already serving (such as teaching the Barnabas mentors in the program I coordinate, as well as homeschooling my children), but when asked to speak beyond that, I can be free to graciously decline. Because I know in my heart of hearts that, though I trust God and choose to teach through His power and Spirit, these opportunities are the ones that cause me more stress--only to be relieved when the event is over. Whereas writing is something I look forward to and can brainstorm about at leisure and with pleasure day or night.

(I feel the need to insert a couple clarifications at this point: 1) Prayer should cover this entire process. When presented with teaching opportunities, I will still pray about them, but this practice can help me discern how God is directing me. 2) Our purpose can change over time, so don’t permanently lock yourself into what you believe God is or is not asking you to do. 3) God certainly may ask us to do things outside of our comfort zone and gifting, but that is not usually where He has us for the long-haul.) 

So, especially if you are feeling spread thin, take a moment now to list your responsibilities, opportunities, and interests in life. Turn them into questions that include the adjective "great," pray, and ask God to speak to you.

How should I use my time, God? In what areas do You want me to be great?

^“I thank Christ Jesus our Lord, who has given me strength to do his work. He considered me trustworthy and appointed me to serve him” -1 Timothy 1:12