We’re multi-tasking today to the point of never focusing clearly on ONE thing!
That’s why you have to keep in mind: “If you don’t take time to see the big picture, you’ll lose sight of your vision in the small details!” (Dr.SYS)
So, today do yourself a favor and ask yourself, “What is it that only I can do?” Then give yourself to THAT, and delegate the rest or simply drop it!
One of the most difficult things for us to do, especially as Leaders, is to admit that we honestly don’t have to do it all, start and end it all, or be involved in it at all!
Truth Is: Many Leaders aren’t dying because of Age, they’re dying because of Agenda!
Listen, it’s just as important for you to know what you should do as well as what you shouldn’t!
Leaders hands are growing tired because they’re over-tasking! And truth be told, half of what they have their hands on they should’ve never touched in the first place!
Leaders, “Ministry should be your birth certificate and never your death certificate!” (Dr.SYS)
“Bible Knowledge is irrelevant when it’s stored in a Hard-Headed Leader!” (Dr.SYS)
Simply Put: Pay attention to your body, pay attention to those telling you to slow down, pay attention to a loss of temper, loss of concentration and a loss of time! Nobody is attempting to stop you from fulfilling your ministry, but understand this, “It’s hard for a dead preacher to reach a living people!” (Dr.SYS)
With that said, make sure you’re doing what you’re supposed to do and no more! Believe it or not, “Some are only doing a few things wholeheartedly, while others are doing many things half-heartedly!” (Dr.SYS) Which is why Selection and Priority Are So Vital!
Multi-tasking is good, but you must learn to focus without distraction on your God-Ordained Priorities!
Moments Become Memories In Mere Minutes! And You Do Not Want An Opportune Moment To Arrive And Your Busy Schedule Causes You to Miss It and Now It’s a Memory…and Not Even One You’ll Cherish!
Leaders, when we’re anxious about our goals we’re not being fueled by them – we’re being stressed by them! And despite what many may believe, Full Time Ministry Should Not Stress You Full Time!
Now, can you get away with a 100% stress-free ministry? Not this side of heaven! But when you’re losing sleep, losing hair, and losing focus it’s time for you to re-examine what you’re doing and rule out what you Shouldn’t be doing!
And by no means think this only concerns Leaders, Wrong! Spouses, parents, business owners etc…ALL need to know how to do two things well: Prioritize and Delegate! If Not, Your Life Will Be Real Busy…And Yet NOT Productive!
Honestly, you can be a great visionary, yet be out of balance, and end up neglecting what’s important! Which has caused many PK’s (preachers kids) and spouses of preachers to dislike ministry! It’s a truth! I’ve watched preachers refuse to go to their son’s basketball games because they were on a Sunday! Just So You Know Exactly Where I Stand On This…AIN’T NOBODY THAT DEEP! (And I Refuse To Apologize For My Bad Grammar!) Believe it or not PASTOR, church can run on with you missing a Sunday! And the sad thing is, it’s usually in the churches where there’s a pulpit filled to its max with preachers, and yet the Pastor is Never Absent! Foolery! I reiterate, AIN’T NOBODY THAT DEEP!
However, I want to show you and prove to you just how deep this foolishness really goes!
A couple (both preachers…of course) were on the verge of a divorce. Want to know why? Glad you asked! She purchased a 7-night cruise for their 25th wedding anniversary! Sounds wonderful don’t it? But do you know this Clergy-Collared-Knucklehead told his wife he can’t go because of his ministerial obligations, but she can still go so it’s not a total waste! I know, you want to slap him like I wanted to…and almost did! Think about it: what warped mind thinks it’s “okay” to say to your wife of 25 years, you go ahead and go on the 7-day cruise that you purchased to surprise me with, for our 25th wedding anniversary, and just go on it alone, and celebrate our 25th wedding anniversary, so it’s not a total waste?! I know it’s not Scripture, but I certainly believe that “God takes care of babies and fools” because had he changed his mind and went anyway on the ship, I believe it would have been a Titanic repeat…She would’ve made it back…but him…I don’t think so!
People of God, please don’t be so religious that you destroy your most meaningful relationships in this life! You will never get back his first day of school, her first ballet recital, his first football catch, her first violin lesson! You will never get to repeat your 5th, 10th 15th, 20th, 25th etc…wedding anniversary! You don’t get the opportunity to see them cross the stage at graduation…at a later date. Or as my aunt has always said, you never want to miss their first walk, tooth, word or crush!
Saints, Life is precious, and so are the people who make up yours! Do not allow a busy agenda to cause you to overlook or mistreat those you love, and more importantly those who love you!
This life is NOT a rehearsal, so live it out and enjoy the full script with all the wonderful, and often crazy, characters that will play their part in it with you!
Pastor Townsend always says to “live each day rapture ready, so that when He returns you have no regrets or remorse about the life you’ve led” That’s Good Advice In My Book!
Now, I’m only 45, but there’s one life lesson I’ve learned to hold dear: “You can only pick what’s ripe, once! Don’t let what God’s given you spoil on the vine while you chase what tomorrow MAY bring!” (Dr.SYS)
With that said, keep in mind: God has given you a fruitful future, therefore don’t you dare let your fruit die on the vine because you’re too busy with programs to focus on producing, pruning and plucking!
Saints, start to manage your time – if not, others will do it for you!
In a nutshell: In order to be ready for the future, you must learn to pace yourself so you’re able to reap the harvest God has planted in you and promised to you! Failure to do this will cause you to ruin great opportunities, because you underestimated what it would take to get you to your destination!
“The Last Thing You Ever Want to do Is Miss a Move of God that was Meant for YOU!” (Dr.SYS)
In closing, don’t overlook the basics like food, sleep, exercise and time with God, family and friends! I know a lot of that sounds so mundane, and basic, and to some even futile, but you must remember at all times that God has called us to be faithful stewards over all He’s entrusted to our hands! And when exactly that became solely about money is beyond me. But we are to give an account in everything, good and bad done by us! And the last thing I want to do is stand before God to give my reasons/excuses for lacking as a wife, mother, daughter, sister, aunt, god-mother, friend, coworker, preacher, teacher and every other title, office, position, and obligation God has entrusted to my hands!
I don’t know about you, but in the end I want this to be what I hear: “…Well done, thou good and faithful servant: thou hast been faithful over a few things, I will make thee ruler over many things: enter thou into the joy of thy lord” (Matthew 25:21)
“If You Can’t Be Faithful Over a Few Things, You Won’t Be Fruitful Over Much!” (Dr.SYS)
Sadly, some of us take better care of our dogs and cats than we do of ourselves! And too often we view sleep and exercise as luxuries and not necessities! This should not be! Truth Is: You Have to Take Care of YOU…There Has Never Been a YOU Before YOU, and There Won’t Be Another YOU Afterwards…So YOU NEED To Take Care of YOU…NOW! Say That 5 Times Fast!
Yes, there’s a time to work late or pull an all-nighter, but this must NOT be a lifestyle! We Have Need Of You…ALIVE AND WELL!
If you want to reach your destiny, you must plan accordingly, prioritize, delegate and Learn to Pace Yourself!
“Rest In Peace Should Never Be The Only Rest or Peace You Experience!” (Dr.SYS)
“Rest. Sleep. Let your mind have the dream he desires and let your body have the peace he deserves.”(Author Unknown)
“Take a rest; a field that has rested gives a bountiful crop” (Ovid)
“You must daily practice the habit of putting your mind at rest, “going into the silence,” as it is commonly called. This is a method of replacing a troubled thought with one of peace, a thought of weakness with one of strength.” (James Allen)
“Do your best and let God do the rest” (Ben Carson)
“Are you tired? Worn out? Burned out on religion? Come to me. Get away with me and you’ll recover your life. I’ll show you how to take a real rest. Walk with me and work with me—watch how I do it. Learn the unforced rhythms of grace. I won’t lay anything heavy or ill-fitting on you. Keep company with me and you’ll learn to live freely and lightly.” (Matthew 11:28-30 MSG).
“Oh, I must find rest in God only, because my hope comes from Him!” (Psalm 62:5 CEB)
“Be still and rest in the Lord; wait for Him and patiently lean yourself upon Him; fret not yourself because of him who prospers in his way, because of the man who brings wicked devices to pass.” (Psalm 37:7 AMP)
“The Lord God, the Holy One of Israel, has said, “In turning away from sin and in rest, you will be saved. Your strength will come by being quiet and by trusting.” But you would not.” (Isaiah 30:15 NLV)
“And so this is still a live promise. It wasn’t canceled at the time of Joshua; otherwise, God wouldn’t keep renewing the appointment for “today.” The promise of “arrival” and “rest” is still there for God’s people. God himself is at rest. And at the end of the journey we’ll surely rest with God. So let’s keep at it and eventually arrive at the place of rest, not drop out through some sort of disobedience.” (Hebrews 4:8-11 MSG).
Much Love, Dr.Shermaine #HealthyBodySoulAndSpirit
"It's Not Selfish to Love Yourself, Take Care of Yourself and to Make Your Happiness a Priority. It's a Necessity." (Mandy Hale)
"Self-Care is Not Selfish. You Cannot Serve From an Empty Vessel." (Eleanor Brown)
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