24
Jan '25
Overwhelmed and Overloaded
24
Jan '25
Introduction: How many of you need at least 25 hours in a day to accomplish everything you need to do? Does it seem like there are not enough hours in a day or week to get everything done and caught up? So what can be done? How can we alleviate this dilemma? One way is by delegating. But that presents another problem—finding the right person(s) is the key. So how should we go about selecting the right people? Having the right people in the right place at the right time is certainly very challenging! However, we can glean some insight to eliminate some hindsight if we have some foresight. Don’t miss that! Take Moses, for example.
1. Because Moses was being OVERLOADED, he learned to listen to wise counsel! (Exodus 18:13-14) – “And it came to pass on the morrow, that Moses sat to judge the people: and the people stood by Moses from the morning unto the evening. And when Moses’ father-in-law saw all that he did to the people, he said, What is this thing that thou doest to the people? Why sittest thou thyself alone, and all the people stand by thee from morning unto even?”
First, Jethro observed. Second, he brought solutions to the problem. Third, his wise counsel was followed. (Exodus 18:19) – “Hearken now unto my voice, I will give thee counsel, and God shall be with thee: Be thou for the people to God-ward, that thou mayest bring the causes unto God.”
Without following through on the counsel, it wouldn’t have done any good. Let’s face it—are you listening? Are you following through?
2. Because Moses was being OVERWHELMED, he learned to delegate! (Exodus 18:15) – “Moses said unto his father-in-law, Because the people come unto me to inquire of God: When they have a matter, they come unto me; and I judge between one and another, and I do make them know the statutes of God, and his laws. And Moses’ father-in-law said unto him, The thing that thou doest is not good. Thou wilt surely wear away, both thou, and this people that is with thee: for this thing is too heavy for thee; thou art not able to perform it thyself alone.”
In other words, unknowingly, Moses was shooting himself in the foot! While he had good intentions, his work was counterproductive. Instead of helping, it turned out he was hindering. Could it be that we, at times, do the same, even though we do not intend to?
3. Because Moses had OVERLOOKED, he learned to choose wise leaders! (Exodus 18:20-21) – “And thou shalt teach them ordinances and laws, and shalt shew them the way wherein they must walk, and the work that they must do. Moreover, thou shalt provide out of all the people able men, such as fear God, men of truth, hating covetousness; and place such over them, to be rulers of thousands, and rulers of hundreds, rulers of fifties, and rulers of tens.”
The old saying comes to mind—what’s worse than learning from our mistakes is NOT learning from our mistakes! Are we constantly learning from our mistakes?
Conclusion: How many workers, mothers, and business people are in the same predicament as Moses? Will we take heed to Jethro’s advice? Are we going to listen to wise counsel or continue to wear ourselves out mentally, emotionally, physically, and, more importantly, spiritually?
If we will listen, then it may relieve our mind and body from being OVERWHELMED and OVERLOADED! So do not OVERLOOK!!
Love y’all,
Dr. Randy Reese