“And he appointed twelve (whom he also called apostles) so that they might be with him, and he might send them out to preach and have authority…” – Mark 3:14

When we rush into doing things, we get things out of order, and we can miss what really matters.

I remember a test one of my high school teachers gave to our class. It was a page full of instructions that we were asked to complete as quickly as possible. The list began by asking us to read all of the instructions, then went on to give us assignments such as solving math problems, obtaining the signature of another student, repeating a phrase three times, and more similar items. Assignment number 25 read, “If you have read all of the instructions, ignore everything else, sign this paper at the bottom, and return it to your teacher.” Only three people passed that test. I was not one of them.

The teacher explained that his goal was to show us the importance of reading all of the instructions, but looking back, I think it taught something else, something much more significant. When we rush into fulfilling tasks, we lose the objectivity we need to evaluate what we should do. Our priorities can become misguided all too quickly and we waste time, energy, and life pursuing the wrong things.

Jesus appointed twelve followers to the position of apostle, and many of us are aware of the great works those apostles did in their ministries. We even have an entire book of the Bible detailing the Acts of the Apostles, but did you hear what the Gospel writer, Mark, said in the Scripture quote above? Jesus appointed the twelve, “so that they might be with him.” The first priority was relationship. The text does go on to say that he gave them a mission and the authority to complete it, both of which are important, but before the assignment was the relationship.

The foundation of life and ministry is relationship. Done correctly, there can be no skipping steps. How many times have we (have I) jumped into doing things to serve God and the world, without taking the time to truly be in relationship with either God or the world? The results-oriented definitions of success we internalize encourage us to get things done quickly and efficiently, so we can get on to the next task. When we embrace this model, however, we frequently end up where I, and my high school class did; busy doing the wrong, or unnecessary, things.

From our relationship with Jesus, comes our mission and authority. From our relationship with the world comes our context and integrity. Without these key components, we can create the illusion of effectiveness and success, but we are only juggling a list of activities that are destined to fall to the ground. When we are plugged into the source of life, however, we become conduits of divine authority and power to transform lives, communities, and the world.

My denomination has a mission statement that says we, “make disciples for the transformation of the world.” That is an awesome, engaging mission. Nowhere, do we claim a mission to have full calendars, busy schedules, and too many activities. Often, however, that is what we do, and maybe you can relate to the temptation to replace a great mission with a flurry of activity because it seems so natural.

We are made to accomplish great things. All of us have God-given destiny, and it is bigger than being busy. When we embrace the significance of living in the right order, placing our relationship with God ahead of the work that we do, not only will we make a greater impact, we will also find the source of life that makes all things beautiful. As you make your plans for this weekend, for the coming week, and for your future, is it time to ask yourself, “am I skipping important steps in my drive to be productive?” Maybe, like me, you need to celebrate that your first calling is, like the apostles, to be with Jesus.