Sometimes we can get so busy doing good things that we lose focus on the things God called us to do.
This is why it’s good to evaluate or reevaluate what you doing quarter and even monthly. I like to do this by reflecting on what I’ve done, what I’m currently doing, what’s working and what’s not to see if I’m stilling doing what God told me to do or if I’ve veered off into my own plans.
If we’re honest we’re all prone to get distracted by bright shiny opportunities that look good.
Psalm 127:1-2 says, Unless the Lord builds the house, they labor in vain who build it; unless the Lord guards the city, the watchman stays awake in vain. It is vain for you to rise up early, to sit up late, to eat the bread of sorrows; for so He gives His beloved sleep.
The word vain means: evil (as destructive), (ruin) or morally (guile); idolatry (as false), uselessness (as deceptive).
All of our efforts are vain, evil, idolatry unless the Lord is in them and has ordained them.
We may achieve some level of worldly success but we will have let the Lord, the One who called us by name and made us His own, down. The way not to build and labor in vain is to reevaluate what you’re doing and why you’re doing often.
The thing is, you have to define success way before you start working your plan.
Success for me is knowing the will of God and doing it.
Ephesians 2:10 says, For we are His workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand that we should walk in them.
Through a deeper relationship with God, we are able to hear His voice and know without a doubt what He’s called us to do and how to do it. It will always be easier to surrender our plan when it doesn’t line up with His plan when we have a deep-rooted trust in Him that stems from an intimate relationship with Him.
When we work from this surrendered place, we are able to:
Be steadfast, immovable, always abounding in the work of the Lord, knowing that our labor is not in vain in the Lord. 1 Corinthians 15:58
A few years ago I started reading God or God by John Bevere and then one morning the Lord gave me the idea to use the “Good or God Test” to help me identify what I’m supposed to be doing, so I’m sharing it with you. I’m not sure if it’s in the book because I have not finished reading it yet but here’s what I did and you can do it too.
Here’s how to do the Good or God Test:
- On a single sheet of paper or on a page in your journal draw a line down the middle to make two columns.
- At the top of the page write “Good” in one column and “God” in the other.
- Take some time to think and pray over all your projects, opportunities, etc.
- Make a commitment to focus on what God called you to do, to make His will your top priority.
- Ask yourself if each one is a good thing or a God-ordained thing.
- List each one of them in the column they belong.
- Make adjustments and prioritize as necessary. My list has some good and some God things on it.
When I did this test I found that there were some really good things I’d been working on that God did not tell me to do. And, while they were good, if I’d continued to focus on them I wouldn’t wholeheartedly be able to focus on what God called me to do. So, I had to make some adjustments. But you know what, I’d rather follow God and do what He’s called me to do than to labor in vain.
I want to hear, “Well done …”
Beloved, I hope this test helps you. If you’re honest with yourself I think it will. If you’re not sure what’s good and what’s God I suggest you take some time to seek the Lord for His direction.