I hate books that convict me. Books requiring me to stop ignoring the change I need to make in my life. Yet I keep reading books, so it’s my own fault.
In July 2014 I bought Greg McKeown’s book, Essentialism: The Disciplined Pursuit of Less to take on vacation with me. The first few pages in, as I sat in the sun by the pool, I decided I wasn’t in the mood to read a book about discipline. It went back into my suitcase, then back to the shelf, where it stayed until December.
I hate the book.
I hate everything about the book. Every page. Every sentence. Every period. I also hate the conviction that came with turning every page.
Why? Because it goes against everything I’ve been doing in life. Every club I have to be a part of. Every platform building technique I must take to grow myself as a speaker and writer. Every yes I have to say. Everything the world tells me to do to be successful in life.
McKeown says, “Essentialism is not about how to get more things done; it’s about how to get the right things done.”
Confession: I’ve been doing so many of the wrong things. Trying to multi-task life and projects. It’s taken it’s toll on me, honestly.
Over the last year, God’s been putting this message on my heart. Stop the distractions, Sundi Jo. Focus on what I’ve put before you.
[Tweet “Being distracted with too many things keeps us from following God’s call on our lives. “]
Perhaps I was too afraid of what He was trying to do in my life that distractions delayed my calling.
Using the Word “No.”
This year I have vowed to use that word more often. Let me just say, I’ve already been tested multiple times on whether I’m going to follow through with this decision. I think I’ve passed so far.
McKeown says, “The right “no” spoken at the right time can change the course of history.”
Ya. Read that line again. It’ll punch you in the gut.
[Tweet “Every decision we make changes history. “]
I’m learning to say no firmly, resolutely, and gracefully, and say yes only to the things that really matter. It’s hard, but worth it, because I already feel a different peace – a peace that comes from ridding of the unimportant distractions so I can say yes to God.
In the last two months, I’ve had to make some very big decisions. Life changing decisions I’ll soon tell you about. I said no multiple times, because this decision wasn’t part of my plan.
Then I realized I was saying the wrong “no.” You see, the right “no” changes the course of history, but so does the wrong “no.” By saying no to God, I was defiant to His purpose and plan for my life, and the lives of others.
It’s time to say “yes.”
I’m saying yes to the way of essentialism – to getting the right things done. To overcoming distractions keeping me from fulfilling God’s purposes in my life.
I’m saying yes to obedience, because every decision we make changes generations. I want to make the right one.
[Tweet “Every decision we make changes generations. Are you making the right one? “]
You and I were made for more than chaos. We were made for more than pleasing the world with the pressure to be everywhere, doing everything.
I’m a work in progress, but I strive to come back to the essentials so I can hear God clearer. So I can live life with a peaceful obedience. So I can be about God’s calling for me, not what I think I need to do.
I haven’t even scratched the surface of this book, but I hope you’ll consider adding it to your collection today. It will open your eyes and change the way you look at life.
[reminder]How does essentialism apply to your life right now? What is something you need to change today to do what God is calling you to do?[/reminder]
I learned before writing Living Still-Walking in Peace in the Midst of Life, that you can’t have true stillness until you learn to say “NO”. You are a very talented, hard working, capable woman and many would love to have you in their club. I remember when The Lord was speaking deeply to my heart about this very thing…learning to say no and setting boundaries. He said, the right and left hand of the body of Christ look very similar but I have only called you to be the left hand. You see I was saying yes to everything at one time too. It was all good things, all working towards helping the body of Christ but I had no true joy or peace. I was exhausted and chaos was setting in. I knew this couldn’t be God’s best for my life. I had to make some hard decisions and begin to learn to say no. It changed the course of my life and that true stillness I have and continue to have by keeping my focus and not getting distracted by things I am not truly called by God to do. He said I was in the wrong positions, I was in the right hand position when I was truly called to the left hand position and until I learn to say no and let Him reposition me and my life I wasn’t going to fulfill my true calling He had in store for me.
Thanks for the encouragement, friend. I already feel more peaceful.
This is where I am right now, also. And I am just so tired……God has put it on my heart to take a sabbatical. It was so weird. Came out of the blue. But I am trying to be obedient in doing so. Not that easy. I am on kind of a strict budget right now, so I probably won’t buy the book you mentioned in the near future, but please continue to share from it and from your heart and experience.
I understand Colleen. Keep being obedient. I’ll be sharing more from the book, I’m sure.
This book is sitting on my desk to read right now! I have procrastinated most of this day away (on the internet now…), so I know I need it. Also, I looked at my goals for this year and realized that if I’m serious about completing the same ones that keep coming back every year (lose weight), I am going to have to shed some other ones.
Don Miller recently offered a little 5 day email series called Start Life Over. On the fifth day, he proposed this insight: “I can only do three big things a year.” That just struck me. So I quit feeling guilty over some volunteering I had already realized I could not do for now. Then I went back to my list of goals and slashed some more.
You’re going to love the book, Vicky. It’s really been an asset to me. Have you done Donald Miller’s “Life Plan?” I’m in the middle of it now.
I did Sundi Jo – last year. Where Michael Hyatt’s Best Year Ever is more nuts and bolts (I dd that last year and this year), I feel Don Miller gets more into the meaning behind our goal and priorities. Love to hear what you think about the Life Plan.