Pace for Peace

This post is by Jennifer Dixon.

"On a scale of 1-10"...…I do NOT want to rate myself in the area of productivity, especially if the productivity is to be considered peaceful!  For some, there seems to be one extreme of feasting on the bread of idleness and only dreaming of accomplishing something grand; and the other extreme of working nonstop with only chaos as a companion.  But there should be an in-between, a happy medium; where we can be productive and have a heart at peace.  

It is notable that PEACE, without the first "E" is PACE!  What if that is the secret to peaceful productivity?  Could it be as simple as pacing ourselves?  Pacing, not procrastinating!!  Pacing, not pounding forward, full of grit and determination!

We are told in Ephesians 5:15-17 to "Look carefully then how you walk, not as unwise but as wise, making the best use of the time, because the days are evil.  Therefore do not be foolish, but understand what the will of the Lord is."  How do we spend our days, our hours, our minutes?  It clearly states in God's Word that we are not promised "tomorrow".  (Proverbs 27:1)  

Some common techniques for being productive that we have probably all heard are: setting a timer, breaking projects into smaller tasks, and doing little by little until the whole is complete.  Another tool is to be aware of the distractions that we are plagued with:  social media, an overwhelming sense of not knowing where to start, and even being paralyzed by tasks that seem enormous. 

But let us be mindful of the story of the three men in Matthew 25 in the parable of the talents.  The one with five talents doubled his.  The man with the two talents doubled his as well.  However, the man that was given one talent went and buried his.  When the master returned and demanded an accounting, the "one-talent man" was called slothful by the master.  Do we want to be called slothful or good and faithful servants?

What are the talents with which we have been entrusted?  Over what has God instructed us to be faithful stewards?  In 1 Corinthians 4:2, we are told that a good steward is to be found faithful.  Can God find us faithful in what He has given us to steward/to manage?  How are we stewarding our time?  Our homes?  Our families?  Our minds?  Our health?  Our work? 

Colossians 3:23-24, "Whatever you do, work heartily, as for the Lord and not for men, knowing that from the Lord you will receive the inheritance as your reward.  You are serving the Lord Christ."  What is our motive for the productivity that we hope to accomplish?  Is it for the glory of God?  Or perhaps for our own glory and recognition?  It might be beneficial to consider why we do what we do!

So in living our lives, we need to remember that we do not live for ourselves.  Let us remember to PACE ourselves.  Let us be found to be faithful stewards.  May we always make the most of the time we have been given, walking as wise, realizing that we are not promised tomorrow.  May we always pace ourselves for peace, while being productive for the glory of God.  "So, whether you eat or drink, or WHATEVER you do, do ALL to the glory of God."  (1 Corinthians 10:31)

Jennifer says: I love being a homeschool mom to my two teenagers.  I also work part time as a social worker.  I enjoy spending time with my family and crafting.  I would like to write more.  I have a dream of one day writing a children's book.

Photo by Renáta-Adrienn on Unsplash