In Exodus 18:13-27 (KJV) Moses sits and judges the issues, both great and small, of the people of Israel. They came to him in order to inquire as to God's statutes and laws regarding matters they needed settled between them. The line was so great that the people stood waiting their turn from morning until evening. Moses' father-n-law, Jethro, comes to visit him, and he asks Moses why he is doing all of the judging alone. Jethro advises Moses that the way he is handling this task is not good, and that if he continues to judge all the people alone, he will become weary and the people will also. Jethro suggests that Moses select God-fearing men of truth to assist him in this task. He advises Moses to allow the men he selects to handle the small issues the people bring before him, and for Moses himself to handle the large issues. Moses heeds his father-n-laws advice which benefits him, as well as the people, as they no longer had to endure those long lines in order to have there issues settled.
Like Moses so many of us have overloaded our plates, and often it takes someone bringing it to our attention before we are willing to consider a change. When we take on more than we can manage in an appropriate manner, it is a mistake. Squeezing to many things into our schedules has an adverse effect on many areas of our lives, and this is something we often fail to realize.
We have become such a busy society that we have chosen to opt out of important things like sitting down for dinner as a family, in order to get everything on our schedules accomplished. Many people spend a great deal of time running around in an agitated state because they are so overwhelmed. This is not good for our health, it is not good for our families or any of our other relationships for that matter including the most important relationship in our lives and that is the one we have with God. In the end maintaining these hectic schedules seems to be doing more harm than good.
If we are rushing through life doing fifty things a day, then how many of those things are truly getting the attention from us they deserve? How many of those things are we able to give quality time to? How much of our life are we slowing down enough to actually be present in? Does having our plates piled so high benefit us or those around us? Are we so busy that we fail to notice we are not taking time to enjoy our lives, but rather speeding through them in a hectic state?
Moses thought he was doing what was best for the people, but he never considered what he was doing to himself or what those who had come to inquire of him were having to endure. He may never have seen the negative aspects of trying to do everything himself had Jethro not pointed them out to him. When we try to accomplish to much in a short time, what effect is that having on us? On our disposition? On our attitudes, and on those around us?
I feel confident that we have busy schedules because we are trying to do what is best, and pleasing to those we love, but slowing down, taking the time to truly enjoy each others company, and listen to what those we love have going on in their lives is priceless. I encourage you to take the time to review your schedule, and evaluate how you are spending your time. How much of your time is spent in a quality manner vs. the amount spent on quantity? Most importantly how much of your time is being spent to build and maintain a strong personal relationship with God?
If you have a prayer request and would like me to pray for you, leave me a message and I will be more than happy to do so. May God bless you!
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