Boiling Pots

Jesse Birkey's picture

Life has a way of sneaking up on us sometimes.  It seems that the days can go from quiet to crazy in the blink of an eye.  It’s in times like these that we start to wonder if there really are enough hours in the day.

 

I’d assume there is since God, in his infinite wisdom, decided to put us on a 24-hour schedule.  *I know there is a lot to be discussed about time and stuff but I’m just laying the foundation for a point that has nothing to do with the origins of time so take it easy deep thinkers.  This post is going to deal with the feeling that we are completely overwhelmed.

 

I was feeling overwhelmed one morning as I thought about the day ahead.  Days ahead, I should say.  And I took my angst-ridden self before the Lord. 

 

Before too long my mind began to settle enough the feel the peace knocking on my hearts door.  A few minutes after that, I watched an image appear. 

 

It was a range, an oven, or a stovetop depending on where you’re from.  On top of it sat a number of pots.  The pots were filled with water.  As I continued to watch I noticed that the water in some of the pots was boiling.  The rest held stagnant, room temperature water.

 

Then I heard the Lord begin to explain.  The pots with water are the different things/tasks going on right now.  Things that need to get done.  But not every one holds the same priority.  Some are more pressing than others.

 

“The boiling ones.” I answered.  “Those are the more pressing issues that need to be addressed.”  Gold stars for right answers folks. 

 

Yes, he said.  Take care of the boiling pots and save the others for another time.  Let me help you see which issues in your life are boiling.

 

Tension faded from my muscles like ice on a fire.  Sometimes all we need is to have the issues in our life put in a proper perspective.  Then we can see that it’s not overwhelming.  That there are enough hours in the day to take care of the things that truly need to get done. 

 

So many times we get bogged down doing things that aren’t critically important.  I’m not saying they’re unimportant, but maybe they can be put off for a day or so until the more pressing needs are taken care of. 

 

Later that day my friend Praying Medic told me that good is the enemy of great.  I hadn’t shared the vision with him at the time but it fit and resonated in my heart.  The pots don’t have to be bad.  Many times they are good.  But the ones with boiling water are the great.  And the higher priority lies with them.

 

I find that I can be a very task-driven person and I’ll go out on a limb and say I’m not the only one.  It’s great to get things done efficiently but I find that if I’m not careful my to-do list will take a big ol’ sledgehammer to my peace and rest.

 

And those are the things to be protected.  Love, joy, peace, etc.  We must protect them as our adversary never stops trying to pick our pockets.  There’s not enough hours in the day, is true is we let the enemy run our schedule.  But it is revealed as a big, fat lie when we let God show us how to organize it.

 

Blessings,

 

Jesse and Kara Birkey

 

www.jessebirkey.com

jbirkey@jessebirkey.com

twitter.com/JesseBirkey

http://www.facebook.com/jesse.birkey

www.goodreads.com/jessebirkey

http://www.amazon.com/author/jessebirkey

 

Jesse and Kara Birkey are committed lovers of Jesus who seek to show others the extraordinary life of Jesus is available for everyone.  They have authored two books, been featured in films and seek to serve the Lord in whatever ways they can.  Follow their blog here.    

 

Bring Jesse and Kara to your venue.  Find more information here.

 

Get a sneak preview of Jesse’s upcoming fiction, Finding Home.

 

Life Resurrected, Extraordinary Miracles through Ordinary People has been endorsed by Sid Roth and Mark Virkler and is a collection of inspiring stories making it clear that the extraordinary life of Jesus is available to all who love Him.  It’s also the testimony of Jesse’s life, the road he travelled bringing him into the arms of Jesus. Get the paperback here.  Get the Kindle Version Here. View the trailer here.    

 

Marriage What’s the Point? One couple finds meaning in a crazy mess is the story of their marriage—The tragedy and the restoration.  They bear their hearts in an attempt to get others to bear theirs and finally receive the freedom they’ve longed for.  Get the paperback here.  Get the Kindle Version Here.

 

Jesse is also featured in the film DeadRaiser, a movie shining the spotlight on resurrection testimonies across the nation.  Find more information here.

 

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