I assume we all spend time each week and probably some time every day thinking about this question: What do I need to give my time to this week/today? I want to help us reframe this question by asking it another way:

What do you need to get close to?

We all have so many things going on in our lives, but we cannot be as close to everyone and everything all the time. In fact, it’s overwhelming and stressful to try and stay close to all the things and all the people in our lives. 

Jesus modeled this. He didn’t come close to everyone or everything at all times. Notice this moment (one of many where he does this) as he’s in a crowd, but chooses to get close to Levi.

Mark 2:13-14 Once again Jesus went out beside the lake. A large crowd came to him, and he began to teach them. As he walked along, he saw Levi son of Alphaeus sitting at the tax collector’s booth. “Follow me,” Jesus told him, and Levi got up and followed him.

Stop trying to get close to every person or follow everyone’s social media or trying to grow ten different skills at a time. Instead, choose wisely who and what you’ll get close to in this season.

Who do you need to get close to in your personal life? This could be someone you are interested in developing a friendship with. It might be someone you know is hurting. It could even be someone in your family who needs extra attention in this season.

What specific area of growth (character and skills) do you need to get close to? As you think about what God wants to do in your life, what areas of your character would you like to develop? As you think about what God might have for your vocational future, are there skills that you need to develop?

What issue in our city or our world do you need to get close to? Maybe you need to come closer to the issue of racism in our country. Perhaps the education of children is an issue you want to understand better. You might want to get a better grasp on the various causes of homelessness in our city. 

Psalm 73:28 But as for me, it is good to be near God. I have made the Sovereign LORD my refuge; I will tell of all your deeds.

Let’s stay close to God, as well as the people and things He has for us in this season.

Much Love,

Ben