Jump Start # 3677
Acts 24:25 “But as he was discussing righteousness, self-control and the judgment to come, Felix became frightened and said, “Go away for the present, and when I find time I will summon you.”
It was a simple question that someone asked me the other day. It came from a man who visits our congregation a lot and attends some of the special classes I teach during the week. But, this question has been asked by others. “Just how do you find the time to do all that you do?” That’s the question. Most weeks are busy, but some are really packed full. When I think about all of it, I don’t know how to answer the question. A typical week involves recording three podcasts, writing five blogs, teaching two to four public classes, writing and preaching a sermon. There is writing class material, sermon notecards and building powerpoint slides for classes and sermons each week. That’s the stuff people see. Throw into that a visit or two to a hospital to see someone. Answering dozens of questions that come via email and texts. Finding material that someone needs. Zillion of phone calls. That’s what a typical week looks like. It gets busier when we have to record podcasts for future dates, preparing to preach for a few days at another congregation. I’m busy and I know that.
Felix, from our passage, bought into the delusion that somehow a person can find more time. “When I find time I will summon you,” was his words and thoughts. Does such a thing exist? Do you know anyone that found a way to get 26 hours in day? Is there such a thing as a “time bank,” where we can toss a few extra minutes here and there and then withdraw when we are really busy and need some more time? Paul would never be summoned, because Felix would never find the time. No one does. I don’t. I have the same amount of time as anyone else.
So, how do I get everything done each week? Here are a few insights into how Mr. Roger works:
First, be extremely organized and efficient. So much time is wasted looking for this or that, or chasing rabbits that do not matter. Before the day begins, I have in my mind an order of what needs to be done that day. Accomplishing those tasks fuels momentum and prepares you for the next day. My books are on the shelves that make sense to me. They don’t have to make sense to anyone else. My files, whether in file cabinets or on my computer screen, the apps on my tablet and phone, are just where I need them. At the end of each day, the waste basket is emptied, the desk is cleared off, and things are lined up for what needs to be done tomorrow. Now, not everyone is wired that way. But to get a ton done, one has to use time as a gift.
Second, I don’t try to do the whole week’s work in one day. What’s coming next? That needs to be done first. I write a Jump Start every day. Just one a day. I don’t try to write a whole week of these in a day. That’s too much. What class is next? Get done, what needs to be done.
Certain projects loom on the horizon. Those are running through the mind. Monday or Tuesday, I’m getting a good idea of what I want to preach the coming Sunday. I let those thoughts simmer, especially as I drive. I’ll take one morning and dive into deep research and writing of that sermon. It will be altered, polished and adjusted and in good shape by Thursday. Friday is typically, the finalizing of what needs to be done for Sunday. The powerpoints. The sermon notecards. The classes. By the time I leave my office on Friday, everything should be locked and loaded and ready for Sunday.
Third, use what you have to help you. I like the term, cross pollinating. Sermons become Jump Starts. Jump Starts become classes. Classes become Jump Starts. Find what works and find different avenues and ways to use those thoughts. This is not looking for short cuts. Rather, it’s reusing something that had a purpose and was helpful.
But, under the hood of all of this is the spirit of being driven. Paul told Timothy to do the work of an evangelist. It is a work and to the work we must go. And, we must give it our all. Paul was hungry, thirsty and homeless. I’m not. Our Lord gave His very life. I haven’t. A lazy preacher doesn’t fit the bill and he won’t go out of his way to do what he ought to.
There are days I’d like to just lock the door and spend hours deep diving into restoration history. Fascinating to me. But, more pressing and more important things need to be done first. I guess the answer to the question, “How do you get all this done,” is that I just do it. Do I have to do all these things? No. And, I have a wonderful team that helps me do what I cannot do. They do the big lifting of loading things on social media and pushing our material out. I couldn’t do it with these great servants.
And, at the end of the day, that’s all that I am, a servant of Christ. Each of us must find our gifts and talents and then excel in those areas. Get good at what you are good at.
And, that’s a little peak into my world. And, I’m not the only one. So many of you are doing amazing things in the kingdom. Busy people. Focused people. Dedicated people. Faithful people. That’s us and I’m happy to be a small part of that.
Roger