TYRANNY OF THE URGENT!

It has been quite a week across our nation, has it not?  Seven miles from cousin, Gwen in Portland, Oregon there was a shooting.  They use that mall several times a week not only in Gwen's work format, but personally.  It gets closer and closer, larger and larger.  Let us keep everyone in our prayers that will have a much different Christmas then we will. 

I chose the title to cover several areas that we experience.  Not only this time of year as we fit in all the get togethers we celebrate.  Small Groups, work related, friends, church, family and that is just the tip of the iceberg.  We also have regular work, or meetings, or volunteer, and our home environment to keep up with.  Some of us have college kids coming home, or family coming to visit.  One of the gals in my small group was getting on an airplane the next morning to fly into the Fort Lauderdale area to see her daughter who lives there.  Her daughter asked her to fly down to see her former roommate who is only there for a few days.  Then she will fly back Sunday night, and Angie comes home four days later to spend a few days.  It is insane. 

This is that one specific month of the year, we HAVE to become PERFECT.  Great decorations, new recipes, perfect housekeeping, the best party, best gifts, etc.  I could never figure out why I always got a cold or got sick by Christmas.  Now I know.  I made a decision years ago about starting in November and pacing myself.  It works.  I am no martyr, just got tired of being exhausted and sick in December.  Waving to the New Year as I went to bed at 10p.m.

Oh, and be sure you find time in there to HURRY up and read the Christmas Story. 

This small series will be about trying to be all things to all people.  The Tyranny of the Urgent.  People like everything to be perfect and pretty sure it is up to them to make it perfect.

Psalm 138: 8.  "The Lord will perfect that which concerns me, your mercy and loving kindness O Lord, endures forever - forsake NOT the works of Your own hands."

Do you see anything in there that says "I am to perfect that which concerns me!"?????  Does it say You are to not forsake the Works of your own hands?  Sure, we are to be willing to do what we need  to do.  Unto you O Lord, do I bring my life.  Yes, that means you.  The fine line is very thin here.
Let us use an example.  As a leader of the small group and because I know they like to get together in December for a small exchange and cookies - tea thing;  it is up to me to orchestrate it.  It is not up to me to do everything.  I pray, think, and plan.  Oh and delegate.  Now there is a foreign word for some of you. Delegate.  You can do that in your home, in the office, in your group.  We have had three parties here this season in our home.  In each case, I delegated and that left time and energy to enjoy the party and people in it.  It is a simple illustration, but very effective.

Next time, we will talk more about this perfection thing that women, in particular, take on.

We will be looking at PS 57: 2 and Phil 1: 6.

Here is a prayer:

Unto You Oh Lord, do I bring my life.  It is my intention to ask You to lead me where and how to use
those specific abilities that You have given me.
I ask that You remove any and all demonic distractions that been or will be set up against me this day to bring ungodly, imperfect thoughts ideas or actions into my life that may hurt others in any way.  I turn myself over to you Lord God.  Thank You for what You are going to do through me.  Holy Spirit check my spirit of all negative inputs as I commit to utilizing all your fruits of the spirit.  I praise Your Holy Name and thank you above all else.