First Baptist Church of Herndon

A Bigger Bucket?

Linda Soller | Jul 22, 2019

Clearly, I had too much caffeine. As I lay awake, mind racing, I considered my bucket list. You know, the list of things you want to do, places you want to see, before your time on earth is done. At first the list was not that big, but the longer I considered the topic, the more items I added. It crossed my mind I needed a bigger bucket. Unfortunately, that part of the equation is not in my control.

Last week I talked about that feeling you may get that you are overwhelmed. You think you want to escape. This week it’s really the opposite. In this case there doesn’t seem to be enough time to do all the things you want to do.  Your resources don’t support your goals. This is different from last week because you still have multiple goals and may even be adding new ones. You aren’t feeling overwhelmed and exhausted, you are feeling restricted by time constraints, your health, your need to work, and so on. Both directions create a lot of stress. 

I think so much of our energy is spent avoiding more work or lining up new things to do that we don’t spend the proper amount of time getting help with our priorities. If we pray for clarity and guidance, and if we are careful to listen I truly feel we will know when to say no or no more, and when to take on something new. A dear friend told me recently that she had jumped into a couple of things without knowing if they were the best way for her to serve. Then when a particular new situation arose she really “felt” God telling her she was needed to take on the challenge. She said she never got the idea of being “called” before. Now she does.

That night, I could feel myself dozing off and prayed for God to give me a bucket list that fit my bucket. Do I need a bigger bucket?  Guess I will find out one day.  

Have a great week! :o) Linda