Tuesday, June 3, 2008

The Most Significant People in my Life

Recently I heard a leadership quote that said, "Focus on the critical few, not the insignificant many." When I heard the quote my first thought was that it didn't sound Biblical. After all, are there any insignificant people? As I began to think about the statement, however, I realized that there really was a lot of truth in it.

When Jesus was here on earth, he could have spent his time reaching and healing as many people as possible, but he didn't. Instead of focusing on many, he focused on the critical few--the few that would go on to influence the world for eternity solely because of His influence on their lives.

God has spoken to me time and time again to focus on the critical few in my life. Obviously for me, this is primarily my family. It is easy to spread myself thin with lots of projects and plans with many people that in the eternal scheme are probably fairly insignificant. I know that friendships with those outside of the family are important, but they are usually temporary and then life moves on .

Focusing on the significant few takes discipline. It takes denying myself what I want to do for what is best in the lives of those significant few around me. That's what the life of Jesus is all about and that is what He has called us to do.

Focusing on the significant few is not all work and discipline however! Actually, I think that the longer we focus on these individuals in our lives, the more joy and rewards we receive from it. Our family is a close-knit family because we have tried to focus our lives around each other for many years.

One of the greatest joys of this philosophy is being able to leave home and the children and take undivided time to focus on the most significant person in my life--my husband! We recently returned from a long weekend at Yellowstone National Park in Montana and enjoyed one of the most memorable weekends in our married life. Staying focused on one person
for life has its rewards--and it only gets better with time!



www.lifechangingseminars.com

2 comments:

w2wkb said...

I read something recently on this that made this same point from Christ's High Priest prayer of John 17. Making the point that Jesus acknowledged that he was given a specific subset of people to make a deeper impression on.

John 17:6-9 - 6 I have manifested your name to the people whom you gave me out of the world. Yours they were, and you gave them to me, and they have kept your word. 7 Now they know that everything that you have given me is from you. 8 For I have given them the words that you gave me, and they have received them and have come to know in truth that I came from you; and they have believed that you sent me. 9 I am praying for them. I am not praying for the world but for those whom you have given me, for they are yours.

Anita Marie said...

As a woman who has the high calling of motherhood...I would love to know your opinions regarding Palin running for VP?