This also applies to time management. Should I complete just the top things on my list and go to bed when my body is telling me I'm tired, or should I stretch out that last bit of energy to get more work done?
I found it interesting to reread the story about the manna in the wilderness and to observe how God's instructions changed from day to day. continue reading/-
Principle #1: Take only enough for today
Exodus 16:18-20
...Each one gathered as much as he needed. Then Moses said to them, "No one is to keep any of it until morning." However, some of them paid no attention to Moses; they kept part of it until morning, but it was full of maggots and began to smell. So Moses was angry with them.
Principle #2: Take extra in anticipation
Exodus 16:22-26
On the sixth day, they gathered twice as much—two omers for each person—and the leaders of the community came and reported this to Moses. He said to them, "This is what the LORD commanded: 'Tomorrow is to be a day of rest, a holy Sabbath to the LORD. So bake what you want to bake and boil what you want to boil. Save whatever is left and keep it until morning.' "
So they saved it until morning, as Moses commanded, and it did not stink or get maggots in it. "Eat it today," Moses said, "because today is a Sabbath to the LORD. You will not find any of it on the ground today. Six days you are to gather it, but on the seventh day, the Sabbath, there will not be any."
This is a good meditation on the Sabbath, but I think it also speaks of the variety of situations in life, which require different responses. Sometimes we are to act just a little bit and then rest in His promises. Other times we are to be actively sowing, watering, and getting ahead on work, knowing that the opportunity will not always be there. Some of these decisions are logical, some are not; all may be aided by the Holy Spirit.
"Each day has trouble enough of its own." As much as I want to be really organized, when I am - especially at home - it so often blows up on me. (For example I purchase food for dinner, get it all ready, perhaps even half-prepared....THAT will be the night that someone is ill, or we're invited out, or for some reason that meal isn't eaten...) I really hate going to the store, but I hate wasting food more.
ReplyDeleteI do tend to organize church events, however....
So true! Our plans are often in vain. I think I was partly referring to having a back-up plan. Should we have a bunch of frozen meals on hand just in case, or just trust that we will figure it out when the need arises?
ReplyDeleteIf I'm short on time/energy, I tend to eat whatever is most convenient, so I try to have food prepared so I can just heat it up. Otherwise it's pelmeni all the time. Luckily, my roommate likes leftovers, so not too much goes to waste!