From the archives: I originally posted this material (slightly differently) last year, but I felt like I needed a refresher on it. The month of December can be tough and busy, and it’s easy to get derailed from the things that really matter. Would you consider taking some time along with me today to refocus? Let’s re-evaluate the course of our lives and set our sails for the things that really matter in 2014. – Jamie

Ahhh. Holidays.

Big holidays like Thanksgiving and Christmas are supposed to be fun, right? You’re supposed to have big family gatherings, sit around a big table together, and make lots of memories while Grandpa carves the turkey. It sounds peaceful and blissful. So how come it’s not always like that?

Come to think of it, how come life doesn’t ever seem to be like that? Could it be because we are too busy?

Think about an average American individual’s to-do list:

• Work at a job
• Proper care and feeding of husband/wife
• Caring for children
• Kids’ homework
• Watching hours of television every week
• Cleaning the house
• Cooking
• Running errands
• Paying bills
• Kids’ sports
• Car maintenance and repairs
• Lawn maintenance
• Home maintenance and repairs
• Church duties
• Volunteer organization duties
• Going to visit family
• Trying to keep up with friends
• Perhaps an occasional vacation?

And that is only the beginning for some people. In the middle of the rat-race, what happens to the important stuff?

• What happens to time with the Lord in individual Bible study and prayer?
• What happens to real, fun, memorable dates and bonding with our spouse?
• What happens to really bonding with our kids, not just shipping them off to the next activity?
• What happens to fulfilling our calling–our higher purpose–in life?

When did we stop thinking we could change the world?

When busyness took over. We got too busy to care.

Why do we even do so many things? I would dare to say that much of it is just to make other people happy. 

But at what price?

We have learned to sacrifice our dreams, our goals, and our calling in life on the altar of busyness and people-pleasing. That’s why busyness is over-rated.

Are you tired of it? The rat-race won’t stop by itself. You have to choose to get out of the wheel.

Your life will pass at the same speed whether you use the time you have to your advantage, or not. In 5 years, you will be 5 years older, and 5 years will be gone, whether you have made any changes or not.

Think about it. We’re about to head into a new year. 2014 is a brand-new beginning. You have a new chance to make every part of your life better, more restful, and more fulfilling. You have a real chance to finally start accomplishing your dreams and your calling.

This is your time. Now is your chance. Will you take it?

Sometimes changing just one thing really will change your world.

What will you change?