I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me.-Philippians 4:13

These days we all seem to struggle with system overload. Ironically, the more mechanical devices we have to help us get ahead, the more difficulty we find staying in touch.  A single click can send vital information around the world, but try to navigate a touch-tone maze without ending up in a voice mailbox.

Like a ravenous Pacman, our timesavers seem to eat up our time, fostering offspring that flood the inboxes of our lives. Prioritize, I'm told, but sometimes, like playground politics, it's hard to tell who got there first. "I did." "No, I did." "Pick me." "No me!" "I'll be your friend." "I'm bigger."

All these worthwhile projects, causes and deadlines clamor for our attention. We are rushed and pushed.  How to choose? Often at the end of the day, we wave a white flag, weary with the effort of trying to be all things to all people, sadly feeling we've left someone short.

Jesus had goals, deadlines, a mission statement, and a CEO. He also had a hand-picked staff, but He was never stressed, never in a hurry.  He found joy, purpose and passion in people. How radical! How counter cultural! Fine tuning diverse personalities into a cohesive unit, at home or at work, can sometimes be our greatest challenge and the most rewarding opportunity.

When people were with Jesus, He made them feel like there was no one else in the room. He emptied, He sacrificed, He loved, and He modeled the grace He wants us to extend to others.  When we do, hearts melt (even our own), lives change, and missions get accomplished.  When we truly see others through Jesus' eyes, He's able to do miracles in us, through us, and we get a front row seat. That's how thousands get fed with more than food, agendas get fulfilled in larger ways than we could ever imagine, and we find we are filled rather than emptied.

Less of me and more of Thee.  What sweet relief! As we embark upon a new year, let's resolve to turn down the volume of life and listen. There, in the Presence of Someone larger, problems assume their proper proportion, insights and ideas are born, priorities change and new growth happens. The bi-products of this process are fruitfulness and peace, serenity and order.  Then our question becomes not a frantic "what should I do?" or "how can I possibly do?" but "what will He do (with great expectation) through me?"

Yet, when the tyranny of the urgent presses in, our temptation is to fight that much harder, not to surrender. How quickly we relinquish peace to reassume control!  The good news is, peace can be ours again at anytime. Just remember, when you see the whites of your knuckles, it's time to let go!

And the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.--Philippians 4:7