There’s always more to do in a day than I can humanly accomplish.

For years, that was a truth that I was unwilling to accept. My blood pressure used to rise as I would attempt to plow through my to-do list while the phone kept ringing, I was pulled in multiple directions, and my daily planner’s highlighted agenda would continue to beg for my attention.

Throughout the course of my non-stop day, it felt like whatever peace I had with God when I woke up was completely sucked out of me by evening. I would fall into bed depleted, empty, and with the realization that my to-do list barely got touched.

Can you relate?

Over the years, I’ve learned how to navigate days like this in a more healthy manner and have been blessed with some incredible leadership and life coaching. Coaching that has included truths like:

*What needs my best attention right now and what can wait?

*Work smarter, not harder.

*What is it that only I can uniquely do and what can I give away?

Read that last one again.

What a beautiful truth! There are tasks that only I can perform; people that only I can have certain conversations with; meetings that I personally need to attend.

In other words, some things on my plate cannot be delegated.

However, there are generally many things that can be given away.

In Acts 6, there’s an incredible example of this very principle in action.

Verse 1 tells of a conflict that was present amongst some widows regarding “being overlooked in the daily [food] distribution.”

“The Twelve summoned the whole company of disciples and said, ‘It would not be right for us to give up preaching the word of God to wait on tables…select from among you seven men of good reputation, full of the Spirit and wisdom, whom we can appoint to this duty.’” (vs. 2-3 HCSB)

Could the Twelve have continued to preach God’s word and distribute food? Sure. But, was it the best use of their time, calling, and energy? No.

So, being led by God with wisdom and clarity, they delegated seven men to be over this task and ensure its success. This freed up the Twelve to continue to focus on what only they could uniquely do during that season – pray and minister God’s word (vs. 4).

How much more peace would we walk in if we just followed that example? How much better would our time management be if we just applied this truth to our lives? How much more loved would those around us feel if we infused this wisdom into our day?

We can’t do everything and, if we try, we wind up not giving our best to anything.

Until next time, Grace and Glory!