Redeeming the Time, Part 6

Develop a “Stop-doing” List

Jim Collins, author of Good to Great, advises people to not only keep a “to do” list but also a “stop doing” list. All of us need to trim the fat from our lives so that we can press on in our walk with God. Here is some of my fat:

·         T.V. Most of us would not complain about our busyness if we simply sliced our T.V. usage. In a recent survey, American households had the T.V. on for nearly 5 hours each day! If that commitment lasts throughout a person’s life, he will spend 9 years of his life watching T.V.! Being a sports junkie, I can be as easily entertained by a televised college baseball game as by the World Series. Therefore, I must be selective on what and how I watch. If I want to watch a Twins baseball game, I start watching in the later innings so I won’t spend 3 hours watching the game.

• Kids’ activities. At some point I realized that I wouldn’t be arrested for missing one of my son’s ballgames! At times, there were more important tasks for me—spending time with one of his siblings, participating in a prayer group, helping a friend, exercising my body.
• Shopping. Driving home, I feel the pull to stop at Menard’s even though I don’t really need anything. I am trying to avoid shopping unless I have a specific need. 
• Job. The McGuffey Readers--which taught millions of 19^th century children how to read--claimed that “One doer is worth 100 dreamers.” The residue of this attitude makes it hard for many Americans to relax, slow down, or even go on vacations. One survey found that over 50% of employees do not use all of their earned vacation time. How can I prevent my job from dominating my life? Take extra time off between jobs. Ask for more vacation—even if it must be unpaid. Don’t volunteer for overtime. Change jobs. Some professions are too demanding. If you have a job that prevents you from living the way God wants you to live, it may be time to find a new job!
• Ministry Opportunities. John was my best friend in seminary. But four or five years after graduation, he became involved with a woman he was counseling. He divorced his wife, left the ministry and married this other woman. What happened? Though I don't know the full story, I suspect a significant part of the tragedy was caused by burnout—John was simply over committed. He was teaching full time at a Christian university; he was one of the pastors for a church plant; he was writing books and speaking to promote his books; and he was involved with some small scale farming. John had few reserves to fight the daily war against temptation.

Like our Teacher, we should not walk through every open door, nor say “Yes” to every good opportunity, nor do every good deed that needs doing. If you do, you may lose it all.