Recently, one of our ward mission leaders echoed a common lament: “How do we accomplish all we are asked to do when we have a family to take care of?” The answer depends on our focus.
From the stress of work, to the press of bills and plain old family interaction, our duty to God and gospel can feel daunting at times. As equally worthy causes clash on our calendars, the competition for our time becomes an emotional taffy-pull. Beaten down by the hammer of the schedule, we are like helpless nails succumbing to coffins of discontent.
By focusing on things that matter most, the appropriate balance of work, service and wholesome recreation will blossom into view with fresh eyes.
Focus on Jesus
What we focus on, we become. By shifting our focus toward Jesus, we gain perspective. By contrast, when we focus on non-essentials–even worthy causes–we are drawn into the vortex of the schedule’s chaotic swirl.
The natural man sees the world from oblique angles, blurred by carnal myopia. Our focus should be with an “eye single to the glory of God” (Doctrine and Covenants 4:5; 27:2; 55:1; 82:19; 88:67).
God’s glory is “to bring to pass the immortality and eternal life of man” (Moses 1:39). When our vision is firmly focused on Christ, we see our eternal potential through Him, and thus, we invite God’s glory.
As our desires move from managing the calendar to allowing God to shape our souls, service becomes a joy, not a drudgery; the calendar becomes a tool, not the taskmaster.
Meetings vs. Ministering
Our frustration with non-core church and work meetings stems from too much planning and not enough achieving. Instead of meeting to plan, minister to rescue and become. Fewer meetings and more accomplishment will result.
It is unwise to substitute the organization of the Church for our primary responsibility to minister within the family. The Church is here to support the family, not to supplant it. This truth alone can refine our schedules.
While we benefit from the spirit of sacred meetings, our greatest transformation takes place as we serve others. Once converted, we are to “strengthen (our) brethren…” (D&C 108:7; see also Luke 22:32).
Filtering Our Calendars
When leaders plan with a purpose and are more sensitive to family responsibilities, the calendar gets crisper. Then, as we center our hearts on becoming more like our Savior, the competition for our time filters through the prism of the Lord’s will. We become more skilled at saying “no” when we must, and “yes” when we should.
Ditch The Taxi Service
Our beloved hobbies won’t feel less lovable if we shelve them for finer things, like temple night, scripture study, and spirit-directed ministering. The kitchen won’t crumble if the dishes sit in the sink another hour. Our children won’t suffer if they lose the Mom and Dad taxi service for a season. Moreover, as each family member lifts the family with Christlike charity, service supplants selfishness. That is a welcome relief to any busy schedule.
Catch the Vision of Focus
Satan blinds our eyes, while the Savior opens them. (see 3 Ne. 2:2; 3 Ne. 26:15). The scriptures speak of the eye filling the body with light (Matt. 6:22), and “that body which is filled with light comprehendeth all things” (D&C 88:67), and “groweth brighter and brighter until the perfect day” (D&C 50:24). When we focus on God’s glory, our calendars will look very different indeed.
While there are groceries to buy, rooms to clean, and meetings to attend, there will not always be days of our mortal probation to transform our character. Liberated from the taskmaster of competing dates, we are free to master our date with discipleship, and look away from distractions in blurry Babylon.
May we see our true potential through God’s eyes, and the worth of souls through a disciple’s heart, as we focus on the love and the glory of God.
