Too Busy to Think 9

One of the disciplines that I have attempted to develop over the years is that of thinking.  No, I am not referring to the dilemma that I experience when trying to decide what to get at the Krispy Kreme counter.  But thinking on a much greater level.  A macro-level-type of thinking.

All great leaders are thinkers.  They spend a significant amount of time in thought with the Lord regarding the tasks He has set before them for the day, week, month, year, and next several years.

But some misguided folk advocate that thinking is a waste of time.  “You are not paid to think.  You are paid to crank out your daily quota of widgets on the assembly-line of life to which you are called,” they add.

But let’s stop and think (no pun intended) about this logic for a moment when it comes to the Kingdom.  Unfortunately, such individuals do not realize that they cannot afford to keep you from using your God-given wisdom.

Whenever we stop and make significant time to think about what we are doing, we enter into a Kingdom activity that displays wise stewardship.  Done correctly, such thinking adds strategic value to what we are doing for the Kingdom.  When we stop and think:

• We may discover that there is a more efficient way to crank out those daily widgets
• We may discover that there is a way to crank out more widgets
• We may discover that there is a way to improve the widgets
• We may discover that there is something out there that is better for the Kingdom than cranking out the daily widgets (Oh, yes. I forgot to add that thinking is a dangerous thing.)

I find that I am not the leader that I should be whenever I am not intentionally setting aside time to think about my ministry and share my thoughts with our Father.  A few hours set aside each week for reflecting on the previous week and the week to come is a very good practice.  Also, try to schedule one and sometimes two days per month to spend the day with the Lord, thinking about what He has called you to do, and where He is leading in the future.

(Just as a side note–I have found that I have to spend more and more time with the Lord as He increases my responsibilities.)

For the sake of the Kingdom, start to think.  Each week, and at least once per month, get alone with God, His word, go old school–take a notebook and ink pen–no computer or iPad–too many temptations to distract thought and time with our Father.

I usually come away from these times refreshed and challenged.  My fellowship is strengthened and prayer life deepened.  Sometimes I even come away with the sense that the Lord is preparing me for something else, but is not ready to reveal the details.

When we are too busy to think, we are too busy.

And that’s something to think about.