An ordered life is something to which I aspire. I admire those people who almost never seem harried but just set out quietly to work towards their goals, and who achieve plenty as a result. I, on the other hand, seem to leap from one mini-crisis to the next. I react to imminent deadlines with focus and dedication, resulting in efficient though sporadic ‘busy patches’ in life. Goals that don’t come with deadlines, however, may never be met, even though they’re important.
Busy
‘Busy’ has been part of my identity for many years – most of my life, in fact. A ‘balanced lifestyle’ is what I aim for these days. Health professionals advise that ‘extraneous stress’ (I had to look up the word ‘extraneous’ in the dictionary!), as well as poor nutrition and excess weight, are risk factors for recurrence of the endometrial cancer that I had in 2015. So I’m extra motivated to live well.
I determined that this year I would enjoy an ordered life with a different focus each weekday so that I will make steady progress overall and won’t panic from deadline to deadline. Mondays are for writing, Tuesdays are for academic study, Wednesdays are for administrative and miscellaneous other matters, Thursdays are for teaching and learning (I teach English and learn Tibetan both that day) and Fridays are for translation. This didn’t apply to week one of 2018, since I was on annual leave until January 4th, then started the year off by writing up my PMP (Personal Ministry Plan) as required by my agency. Week two went really well. And now it is week three.
Three sets of colleagues and friends are visiting from three different states this week – how fun. In addition to spending time with these good people, I’ve been blessed with a couple of other 难得的机会 (opportunities that are not easily come by and too good to be missed – how do we say that in English?). Next week, I have four full days of classes at the Melbourne School of Theology. Next month is team conference and I’m going early to spend time with some dear friends in Asia. As I look at the calendar, I realize that there will likely only be one more ‘normal’ week between now and week eight of 2018. That’s a 25% compliance rate in January and February when it comes to sticking to my plan for an ordered work schedule, resulting in productivity without panic.
This is neither a complaint nor a boast. I realize that most of us could tell similar stories, though with different details. How can we not only survive but also thrive in the various activities that fill our lives? I want to achieve plenty but to avoid having a ‘busy’ mindset in the midst of abundance.
Jesus’ example
As a good Christian woman, I prayed about the dilemma of how to enjoy all this activity without being frazzled. “Lord Jesus, your days were full when you walked our earth, and you knew the limitations of humanity back then. You quite literally had the task of saving the world. You were constantly harangued by people wanting this or that. I want to learn from you. Please show me how to live well.”
As I reflected on incidents from Jesus’ time on earth, it became obvious that Jesus had a very strong sense of who he was and what he was about. This was reflected in how he prioritized his activities. Remember the Samaritan woman who met Jesus by Jacob’s well? Jesus spent three days with her and her community – it seemed like he had all the time in the world for them. Yet he barely gave the time of day to those he considered religious hypocrites.
Jesus illustrated well what I want for myself – a clear sense of person and purpose. Jesus wasn’t limited by a schedule, though in a sense there was ‘a time’ for all that he did – his youth, discipleship, teaching and healing, and of course the crucifixion and resurrection. He is God incarnate, though, so of course Jesus got the balance right at any point in time. Why should I think that this clear sense of person and purpose is attainable for me, an ordinary Christian woman?
It’s all in the mind
Jesus’ spirit lives in us! (See Romans 8:11 and following.) This indwelling spirit is described as a spirit not of fear but “… of power, and of love, and of a sound mind” (2 Tim 1:7 KJV). Modern translations often use the term ‘discipline’ or ‘self-discipline’ where the King James version talks of ‘a sound mind’. Now I’m not saying that faith in Jesus automatically means that we ‘have it all together’, but as we grow in our faith, so ‘soundness of mind’ will develop. As the apostle Paul wrote elsewhere, ‘we have the mind of Christ’ (1 Corinthians 2:16). He also instructed believers to ‘be transformed by the renewing of your mind’ (Rom 12:2).
As I scribble this post in a big yellow notebook during a very full week, sitting in a café with terrible coffee but a quiet corner and air-conditioning, I am asking God to step up his work of transformation in me. I want my thoughts and attitudes to honour Jesus. A harried state of mind is neither godly nor healthy. In particular, I am asking God for two things.
First, I am asking that God’s spirit will enable me to be self-disciplined. This applies both to how I use my time as well as my thought life. God has given us ‘a spirit of … self-discipline’. Self-discipline means that I will maximize little pockets of time rather than twiddle away precious moments on things such as excess social media or mindless TV. (Mind you, social media and television shows have their place – they just need to be kept in their place.) Even a single minute here and there can be put to good use by using the Tibetan learning app on my phone or by taking a brisk one-minute walk for fitness’ sake.
Second, I am asking that God will grant me a clear sense of my person and purpose. Jesus was able to respond appropriately to the many opportunities – including those not-to-be-missed, hard-to-come-by opportunities. He knew who he was and what he was about. He didn’t work hard at pleasing people just because it felt good … something I am wont to do. He wasn’t afraid of missing the mark. He maintained healthy boundaries which flexed as appropriate. He didn’t get caught up in the busyness of each day and so lose focus. He prioritized prayer even and especially during the most intense days of his life on earth.
May his spirit, which lives in us, enable us to do likewise.
‘Busyness’ isn’t an occasional hiccup in life to be overcome. It’s a normal part of life – a life which I thoroughly enjoy in part because my schedule is full of interesting and varied activities. I want to embrace this life God has given me without experiencing ‘extraneous stress’. Healthy boundaries, realistic expectations, pushing on towards health and fitness goals – these are all important to maintain in the midst of a full programme, and that is a topic for another day. Today, though, as I navigate my way through a week rich with people and activities, I am choosing to reject a ‘busy’ mindset. I want to embrace the spirit of power, of love, and of a sound mind. Life is abundant indeed.
Postscript: I wrote this blog post by hand on Tuesday. As I type it up on Saturday, I can attest to God’s kindness. It was a good week. I have enjoyed quality time with special people. I didn’t follow my plans when it came to activities for each day but what needed to get done all got done and much more besides. Having a ‘not-busy’ mindset is fabulous. Long may it last!