The Need to Be Productive

It is the beginning of a new year.

As such we are looking back to see what last year held for us and look ahead to see what is yet to come.

In our review of history and in our hopes and dreams for the future, we realize that we analyze the importance of things from our current perspective and we attempt to determine what is the best course of action that we can take moving forward.

One thing that I have noticed in my own personal journey is that hard-wired into me is the need to be productive. I have to create, produce, accomplish, labor etc. I believe this comes from God’s initial instructions to humanity the “tend the earth”. Solomon also recorded that it is a gift from God to do the work of our hands.

Why is it that we need to be productive? One reason is because laziness and slothfulness create a breeding ground for all manner of other destructive behaviors. Another reason though is because our productivity has to do with our purpose in life. When we are accomplishing nothing, we may at times excuse it and say it really doesn’t matter but down deep inside we know that God Himself has given us a calling, created us for a purpose and is leading us to a particular mission for our remaining days on this earth. Furthermore, this inner drive to be productive also comes from a God-given urge to make our lives count for something in the midst of simply not knowing how many days we have left.

If you knew you only had so many days left, wouldn’t you seek to make those remaining days count? I know I would. Perhaps more diligently, intentionally and more proactively than ever. Not all actions and behaviors are equally important when we have a finite number of days left on this earth. The fact that we don’t know how many days remain should actually serve as an impetus and motivator in our lives to be more attentive to that which matters most. 

And so while you are examining last year and looking ahead to the year to come, please ask yourself a few questions to help you with your purpose and your productivity:

• For what purpose what I created? Why am I here?
• What is God asking me to do with my time here?
• What should I spend my time, energy, talents and resources on?
• Is my life producing anything?
• Is it really for God’s glory or for my own?
• What would God have me to produce with my life and the time I have left on this earth?

I want my life to count for something. I believe God has given me a particular sense of direction for how I ought to live my life and what mission I am to be working towards. Now I need to make sure that I am faithfully heeding His calling, stewarding that which He has entrusted to me and making my life count for His glory and for drawing others into His loving embrace of amazing grace.What about you?