You know what it feels like when you have deadlines approaching? Sometimes there’s anxiety. Sometimes lost sleep. Sometimes you feel overwhelmed. Sometimes there’s a sense of peace (if and when you know that everything is covered).

Well I’m feeling a little bit of all of these. I passed one deadline already…Get Yourself Ready is complete and in the hands of my Bible study ladies. This was a big one. But not my only deadline.

Our women’s ministry at Rocky will be hosting a “girl’s night out” event next Thursday. This is a big step for us. Our events are usually speakers from within our church, but for this night, we decided to bring in an improve comedy team to help us laugh out loud. This was a big decision, but one that we pray will be uplifting to the ladies in our area. I ask that you join us in prayer for this evening…and if you live in my neck of the woods, why not consider joining us for this fun event? You can purchase tickets at rmcc.org.

Once this deadline has passed, I’ll be able to relax a bit.

Or so you think!

Nope. Just around the corner from February 11 is March 19. This is the day my son will take a bride. I’m tearing up as I write these words. I am so happy and thrilled for him. But it’s a big day. It’s a big deadline. And there’s lots of work to do before that deadline. I would ask for your prayers for this day and their marriage as well.

Now there’s more going on between now and March 19. There’s a birthday party for our grandson…hard to believe he will be 5-years old! There’s the remembrance day for our grandson…even harder to believe he’s been with Jesus for 5 years. There’s a trip to Ohio…I love road trips! There are still Bible studies to lead, blog posts to write and work at the church that needs to be done. Deadline upon deadline upon deadline.

So what are my plans for meeting these deadlines? I think I’ll take my guidance from Jesus. Jesus had a deadline while He was among us. His deadline was the cross. That’s where He had to be on a specific day. To get ready for that moment, Jesus made preparations and set certain things in motion.

Jesus Didn’t Waver in His Mission and Goal

Jesus was focused on what and where He was going. Each interaction was intentional. Each lesson was taught with purpose. Each relationship was taken to the next level.

My mission must be Jesus’ mission. My mission must be to point others to Jesus and help them deepen their relationship with Him. My interactions must be intentional. My teaching must have purpose. My relationships must be taken to the next level.

What about you? Is your mission Jesus’ mission?

Jesus Prepared Those Who Would Take Over

Once Jesus began His ministry, He began preparing those who would be the next leaders in His Kingdom. Jesus spent quality time with the twelve apostles, taught them with passion and developed the leadership skills that they would need once Jesus returned to be with His Father.

I must do the same. Yes, with my ministry at Rocky, but also in my personal life. Who will pick up the baton once I am no longer here? What legacy will I leave so that my children and grandchildren will have this great desire to share God’s message with others? If I am not intentional in this, this process will disappear.

Who are you bringing up beside and behind you to carry on once you are gone?

Jesus Continued His Ministry

Knowing that the cross was before Him didn’t sidetrack Jesus from His day-to-day ministry. He talked. He taught. He healed. He encountered. He lived. He cried. He calmed. He challenged. He rebuked. He loved. And all the while, Jesus knew He was heading to the cross.

My deadlines are nothing like Jesus’, but my life must reflect His. In my day-to-day ministry, Jesus must be displayed. In my day-to-day living, Jesus must be who others see in my life. My ministry continues regardless of the deadlines I face.

Are deadlines keeping you from doing God’s work?

Jesus Spent Quality Time with His Heavenly Father

In the last moments of Jesus’ life, who do we find Jesus with? His apostles. His inner circle. But most of His time was spent with God. Prayers for others and Himself were lifted to the God of the universe, Jesus’ heavenly Father. In the midst of His anguish, God was Jesus’ lifeline.

God must be my lifeline as well. In the midst of my rushing about, “get my to-do list done” craziness, feeling “out of control” deadline frenzy, I must stop and spend time with my heavenly Father. If I don’t, I won’t find the peace and well-being that is needed for this busy life. I know without a doubt, if this time with God isn’t my top priority, I will be a mess.

Do you spend quiet time with God each day? Is this time your top priority?

Jesus Met the Deadline

Oh how thankful I am for this. Jesus chose to be taken to the cross without fuss or fight. Nothing could or would keep Him from that deadline. Jesus was present. Jesus was intentional. Jesus was thoughtful. Jesus was there.

I fail to meet my deadlines with the grace that Jesus met His. But I can strive each day to be more present. I can strive each day to be more intentional. I can strive each day to be more thoughtful.

How do you meet deadlines?

Friend, I pray that you are able to take some of Jesus’ examples and place them in your own lives. It’s what I try to do each day. Be a little more like Jesus than I was yesterday. With Jesus’ example, God’s uplifting arm and the Holy Spirit to lead and guide, I am able to do so.

Now, let’s get after these deadlines!

Grace and peace be yours in abundance,

Donna