Task

We hooked up the u-haul early morn and made our way to Austin to move her out of her existing temporary home...fill her room here at home only to have to repack and get her settled again in another spot in a month or so. Molly...my last one in college....You who have college aged children know the drill. We thought we would be brave and move the stuff without hired muscles...and I will say we pretty much pulled it off...but ran out of steam at the end....and though we got the furniture down and car side and loaded some of the huge pieces, at day's end we anteed up for a couple of guys to help us pack the remaining four pieces....a desk, a couple of chairs, a vanity and a tv table. And when all was said and done and the last bags of hand loaded bags and breakables were packed away, the u-haul door firmly latched...we got in the car and still managed a high five...and both said almost simultaneously .."we did it".

It does feel great to start a project and finish it...and finish it well. But just as this moving process proved...projects usually take a lot longer than we originally think they will. We forget to take into account some the variables that we are dependent on...in this moving senario, there was one elevator for 6 floors....it slowed down the whole process tremendously...for everybody. And efficiency was only a fleeting dream. Proof....that it only took 20 minutes when we got home to unload...of course we had "dad" on board then.

Goals and deadlines....we deal with them everyday....and as long as a deadline depends on only us..we pretty much know our bounds...and the rate that we need to work...to accomplish the job at hand. But how many times are our deadlines dependent on others...we wait for input or permission, or something else that needs to be completed before we can make headway towards our leg of the task. And we wait and wait and wait...because it seems that the fire that has been lit under someone else is only a simmer while the one we have lit is in full flame. I know you have been there.....we all have. I think sometimes the problem is that though we have in our heads a time frame..we often have not made that time frame known to others. Without bounds, at least I have found.....I can procrastinate, and put things on the back burner and let them just simmer until I start getting the pressure from someone else to carry on....and carry on with a deadline attached. A deadline to me seems to be the path to an accomplished goal.

But then going one step further...what is our ultimate goal in life....the deadlines...the daily routine accomplishments....how are they carving out a path for us to get to our ultimate goal. And who are we depending on and waiting on to accomplish that ultimate goal? I was thinking about this yesterday...and considering if Jesus was the mover...how would he have set this up...would he have come earlier or later...taken the stairs or waited for the elevator...would he have hired muscles....or done it himself...and would he have had a timed deadline in mind? And it occurred to me that the ultimate task with Jesus would not have been the move itself....rather the relationship with the others who were moving and that we were with all day. It was funny...one with elevator...you crossed the same strangers all day. Some were the hired muscles...otheres were the moving residents...while others were family members and friends who had just come along to help.

Jesus cares about the people along the way...he is not so concerned with the task as he is the people...and that is where my lesson lies....The task, though it is important no doubt....is not what ultimately counts in the eyes of Jesus.....who is ultimately the one I am trying to please...It is how we go about tackling the task? And who we accept help and guidance from....and how we successfully negotiate the components and people who are part of the playing team. That is the lasing goal...the move is temporary...but how we treat people along the way....now that is something that is remembered.

I have heard it said that: "People may not remember exactly what you did, or what you said, ...but they will always remember how you made them feel."

The deadlines that we deal with, daily, in our routines...are earthly settings. They most generally are task generated. And it is good to have a focal point to aspire to....but I can't help but think that that when we put all our efforts into the task that we so many times forfeit the timeless opportunity to touch others with God's grace, kindness, patience, and understanding. We sort of pack all those things in the trailer we are pulling behind us....and forget to incorporate them as we seek to achieve our daily quest for a deadline.

If we are moving with Jesus....then he has called us to put out tasks in the trailer that we are pulling ....and put Him in the front seat as the driver. He will be there to help us accomplish what it is that needs to be done...how to reestablish our goods according to his purposes....and it will be timely.....but he will also help us to share in His task of loving others.....as we travel and move from place to place.

Acts 20:24
However, I consider my life worth nothing to me, if only I may finish the race and complete the task the Lord Jesus has given me-the task of testifying to the gospel of God's grace.

Yesterday we started out on a journey to move items.... from one place to another....but what I got was most wonderful day with my daughter...and a good visit along the way! I got to meet her friends, and share an experience...these are times that memories are made. And there is something about a group of strangers gathered together...trying to accomplish the same means to an end...that made for a united front. These were strangers I did not know and will most likely never see again but we were all friends for the day. We all had a similar goal...and we were all hot and yucky....and I can't remember anyone who was fussy...and everyone was helping everyone. It was just a reminder that we are all on a journey somewhere...we have different walks of life...but were all created by one God....who has one goal for each of us...and that is to help us be what he has envisioned us to be...through his love, his forgiveness, his guidance and his grace. We are called to be movers...and to move in His direction....the choice is ours...and ours alone!


Dear Lord, Thank you for the reminder that people are more important than tasks...though the tasks must be done...may they unto you and through you and for your glory. Help us to be conscientious and hard workers.....in the positions where you have planted us ....but help us to always be reminded as we seek to accomplish our earthly tasks.....that our ultimate task through you... is to love others...and be a reflection of your moving light no matter where we are coming from or where we are going. . Amen
Praise God wherever you are and whatever situation He has allowed you to be in . . . His glory will shine through!
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