Sometimes it's enough to change your attitude to change your whole life.
Do you say “yes” to everything? Then you say “no” to the most important
How many times have you found yourself doing five things at once and not one properly? Sometimes you feel like the more you do, the better you are. But the truth is different: multitasking robs us. It robs us of peace, of focus and, most importantly, of our relationship with God.
I recently sat in on a Saturday session at our SafePoint where I was supposed to rest, but my head was going full throttle. “What do I have to do tomorrow? Where do I shop? And when will I finally rest? “Do you know it too? The reality was that I was physically present, but my mind was elsewhere. And that's exactly where the problem is.
When multitasking destroys your soul
Today's culture celebrates performance. “The more you can handle, the better you are.” But the price we pay for it is too high. We don't have room to relax, we don't have room to concentrate. Every day we say “yes” to other and other obligations, but in doing so we say “no” to what is really important — God, peace and meaning.
Walter Brueggemann says multitasking divides us internally. Our minds are fragmented, and so we don't actually pay full attention to anything. What does that mean? That if we let ourselves be overheard, we miss the target. And miss the target -- that's the exact definition of sin.
God has a different plan for you
In the Bible you will find a principle that goes against everything we hear about performance today. When God created man, what was first on the agenda? Rest. The first day came, the day of rest, the day when Adam and Eve were just there. They had no plans, no obligations, only time spent with God. The same goes for us. God doesn't want us to burn out. He wants us to find peace.
Jesus sums it up beautifully: “No one can serve two masters.” We cannot give ourselves away everywhere and at the same time have a life that makes sense. If we want to grow, if we want to find room, we must learn to consciously say “no”.
How To: 3 Steps To The Art Of Saying “No”
- Stop and think:What overloads you the most? What distracts you from calm?
- Make a not-to-do sheet:Write down things you don't want to do anymore.
- Consciously say “no”:Every “no” you say to multitasking and overindulgence is a “yes” to your peace of mind and relationship with God.
The Art of Concentrating on Meaning
Jesus knew what he had to say “yes” to. He knew his mission was to save the world. That's why he said “no” to power, money and fame. What's your “yes”? What is it that God is calling you to do? Every “no” of yours brings you closer to being able to say “yes” to things that really make sense.
Find peace, find God
God didn't create us for the constant hustle and bustle. He didn't create us to just do tasks. He created us to live to the fullest, to find peace and to be with Him. When you're thinking about what you need to accomplish today, try saying “no” instead. Stop, take a breath and know that calm is not weakness, but strength.
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