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Priority & Distraction
John TiltonActs 6:1-4 In those days when the number of disciples was increasing, the Hellenistic Jewsamong them complained against the Hebraic Jews because their widows were being overlooked in the daily distribution of food. So the Twelve gathered all the disciples together and said, “It would not be right for us to neglect the ministry of the word of God in order to wait on tables. Brothers and sisters, choose seven men from among you who are known to be full of the Spirit and wisdom. We will turn this responsibility over to them and will give our attention to prayer and the ministry of the word.”
As the disciples increased, the Jews realized that the need to fulfill and tend to various responsibilities also increased. The concern was that the disciples were doing work that perhaps could be done by others, therefore enabling them to focus on work that only they could and should do. Specifically, preventing from being distracted from their call by God. Thus, the wonderful suggestion arose to choose others that would tend to some of the responsibilities that the disciples were doing, of which they could be released in order to prioritize and focus on what God called them to do; prayer and the ministry of the word.
As we come upon our annual conference of Doing Church as a Team, I think of our culture and basis of New Hope churches, where we are called to serve in our gifting and to develop and equip leaders. In this way, we are able to each focus on what God has called us to do, including prioritizing our time and efforts, and therefore not getting distracted on doing things we are not called to do. Granted, some things we can do would be good things. However, am I called to do those things? Can someone else do it better, which would then allow me to focus on what I have been called to do? I realize that with my responsibilities as a husband, father, pastor and leader, I have a certain number of hours in the day to be the most effective I can be. Being able to delegate to others and get support from others, can and will enable me to focus on what is priority and a call for me.
Dear Lord, please continue to give me understanding and clarity of those things I am called to do, and those things that others can do, so that my efforts and effectiveness will be the most that it can be.
