You have been asked to attend a conference the same weekend you have a chance to get away with your family for a vacation. Since you can’t do both, how do you decide?
The following questions will help you choose:
1. Which of these options contributes most to the well-being of my family? There are times when attending a conference is important. There are other times when being at your son’s game is a priority.
2. Can I do what I would like to do without hurting those closest to me? The person who lives with only his interests at heart is selfish. Balancing family with work-related responsibilities demands looking at the broader picture.
3. If I don’t do this, will it go undone, or does it really matter? You can’t do everything. Saying “yes” to one means saying “no” to another. Look at the big picture.
4. Is this the best use of my time, energies and resources? Whenever you say “yes” to an invitation, make certain that this is the best use of your time, energy and resources.
5. Am I willing to neglect something else to do what I would like to do? Life is often a matter of getting up, doing the routine and repeating the same tasks daily. Breaking out of the norm is fun and exciting, but there is a price to pay.
6. Have I prayed for wisdom in deciding what comes first? “If any of you lacks wisdom, you should ask God, who gives generously to all without finding fault, and it will be given to you” (James 1:5).
Long ago Scripture advised, “Help us to redeem our time because the days are evil.” If ever that were true, it’s true today. God, help us to decide well.
Used with permission from Guidelines International Ministries. To learn more about Guidelines and the ministry, send an e-mail to info@guidelines.org. You may also visit www.guidelines.org.