“It would not be right for us . .” Acts 6:2 NIV
“The easiest or familiar is seldom the best or right thing.”
My thoughts today are about the “right thing to do.”
I am not thinking so much about things right or wrong, as I am about differentiating between the good and best. It is often said that “good is the enemy of the best.” Something may seem to be good enough but good enough will never accomplish what’s best. Your best is always the right thing to do.
There will always seem more than you have enough time, energy, or ability to do; that could be because there are some things you aren’t meant to do. A successful life is found in knowing what is yours to do and doing that well; a highly successful life is reserved for those who also know what they are not meant to do, and leave those things to others. The latter is more important than you may realize.
Success eventually requires hard choices. The very abilities, effort, energy, and focus that brings success in your endeavors can be stretched thin by a growing diversity of demands and expectations. When you are feeling the pressure to do more than you have time or ability to do, demands and deadlines will sometimes clarify what is “your business to do,” and what is none of your business.
The first century Church in Jerusalem grew so rapidly that the apostles could not keep up with everything that needed to be done. There was a problem no caring person would deny; some people were not being taken care of in an equitable manner as others were. For this to be done should something else be left undone? Wisely, the apostles in charge evaluated the problem as proper food distribution to both Greek and Hebrew widows – reaffirmed the priorities as prayer and the teaching of God’s Word – and made a choice both wise and practical; this is something that must be done but can be done by others. Always do the right thing simply because it is the right thing to do.
Their reasoning? “It would not be right for us to neglect the ministry of the Word of God to wait on tables. Choose seven men from among you who are known to be full of the Spirit and wisdom. We will turn this responsibility over to them . . this proposal pleased the whole group.” Acts 6:2-5 NIV. Life is better when you keep it clear and simple. The apostles recognized that the investment of themselves in what had arisen would mean their neglect of what was their priority. While you busy yourself doing what someone else could do, you miss what you should do. Every responsibility is not necessarily your responsibility. “They made me keeper of the vineyards, but my own vineyard I have neglected.” Song 1:6 NIV. Multi-gifted people are especially tempted in this area. Knowing how and when to say no is as important as being willing to say yes.
You are more effective when you are occupied with the things that are right for you – that best fit your skill-set and are within your Godly assignment. The easiest and familiar thing to do is seldom the best or right thing for you. Few of us are given the luxury of opportunity and authority to always do what we would prefer to do, nor should we. Effectiveness comes with focus; focus comes from priorities. That’s where you find the right thing for you. The Apostle Paul determined, “I am focusing all my energies in this one thing . .” Philippians 3:13 NLT. See Psalm 27:4 NKJV.
My prayer for you today is that you do what you know God has given you to do.