More often than not when I ask someone how they are doing, the reply is “busy”. There’s no denying that we live in a culture obsessed with busyness. At times, it can almost seem that our self-worth is determined by the number of activities we are involved in.
Though it is important to be active in serving the people of God, we must strive to find a balance. We simply cannot say “yes” to everything that comes our way. I was once told that every time we say “yes” to an activity, we say “no” to something else.
Our “yes” to being the chairperson for the annual Pumpkin Festival is a “no” to time with our kids, a spare moment to pray, or getting coffee with a friend. Because our time is so limited and so stretched, we must carefully evaluate and consider each opportunity that comes our way.
There are so many wonderful ministries, events, and projects that we could choose to invest in, but we don’t need to be a part of all of them. So, how do we decide what activities, ministries, and events we should be doing?
Of course, as we do with everything, begin with prayer. Set aside time to pray and reflect before responding to an invitation to be involved in or attend an event. Then, ask yourself these questions.
4 Questions To Ask Before Saying “Yes”
1. Will it negatively impact my vocation?
If it will take precious time away from your vocation as a spouse or a parent, the answer is always no. For those who are not married, consider how it might impact your time with family and friends. An easy way to determine this is to ask family their opinion.
2. Does it fit into this season of my life?
Though it might be a great idea to get involved in a ministry at your Parish, it just may not be the right time for you. If you’ve just had a baby or are in the middle of an extremely difficult semester at college, it’s probably better to wait for another season of life to start something new.
3. Does it align with my gifts and talents?
This is important to think about. Don’t do something just to do it! If every art project you attempt is a Pinterest fail, the craft fair probably isn’t the best use of your time. Know what your skills are and put them to good use.
4. Why do I want to do this?
The answer needs to be because I want to grow closer to Christ through serving others. If it is anything other than that – because I feel like I have to, people expect me to, to feel good about myself – then it’s most likely not the right ministry for you.
