Finding myself swamped and surprised once again by this phenomena that happens at the end of each calendar year, I decided to ask God how I should organize my time (kinda wish I'd asked 3 weeks ago!). I thought it would be a delayed and complicated response, perhaps taking months, or years, of transformation into another personality type...
But no. The answer came immediately and as I was praying. In fact within my prayer was the answer.
"Does it have eternal value?"
I grabbed pen and paper and listened.
1) Is God asking you to do it?*
2) Does it have eternal value?
3) Is it a need?
4) Does it bring you life?**
If not, let it go, because you can't, nor should you, try to do it all.
Those who care about you will understand. Those who don't understand, don't care about you, they don't know how, because they don't know how to care for themselves. Caring for ourselves is the first step in loving our neighbor as ourselves (the second commandment, which is like the first and greatest commandment to love God). When we are cared for, we will understand how to care for others in a way that brings true life to them, and us, at the same time. This is not selfishness, but awareness that we are human and need care, it's when we go beyond what we need that we become gluttons for self-gratification.
*God does not contradict His revealed word (Holy Bible), so everything we think we "hear" from Him must line up and pass the test of scripture.
**True life is doing what is truly good for you, this includes healthy rest and recreation (excercise, hobbies), being inspired by beautiful art, dating your spouse etc.
