#potential #livelifeonpurpose by: Julie Wicker
Our word for the week; potential means having or showing the capacity to become or develop into something in the future. I want to throw some other words your way; purposely means to show determination or resolve, to be intentional or deliberate and pursuing means to seek to attain or accomplish (a goal) over a long period. Thought for the week, if we are purposely pursuing our full potential in Christ, we need to intentionally plan our days. The scripture I want us to cling to today comes from Psalm 90:12 NIV; “Teach us to number our days, that we may gain a heart of wisdom”.

With these three words and scripture on our minds, I now want us to talk about calendar control. I want to pose the question; does your calendar control you or do you control your calendar? I will be honest with you; I am a planner at heart but often I let my calendar control me. I like to have my days, weeks, and months mapped out, but I have a hard time with the word “no”. I am a “yes” person, which is why I have adopted the response; “let me pray about it”. A couple years ago when I made the decision to go back to school, I had to let some things go so I could give the time and attention I did have to my family.
With that thought in mind, I want to pose the question; what if we are saying yes to things that are keeping us busy but keeping us from reaching our full potential in Christ? I think the calendar control we all need is in the word “balance”. We have probably all heard the analogy of juggling plates, where each plate represents an area of our lives.
Let me share some examples with you. My primary reason for taking the job at the school district was so that I could be more available for my husband and children, therefore my time off during the summer has been a huge blessing. Plate #1, I get to cook breakfast, lunch, and dinner if I choose too. I get to chauffeur our twins around. And because I know they want to have fun this summer, I try to be intentional with planning fun activities like going to the beach or taking a trip to my parents.
Plate #2, now that I work for the School District as my primary job, I have 5-6 weeks off in the summer. I utilize this time to take 3 online classes vs. my normal 2 classes that I take in the Spring and Fall. Believe it or not, I find it harder to control my calendar in the summer vs. the Spring or Fall.
Plate #3, do you have a side hustle? Between my husband and I we have 3 side hustles. Hopefully in all our craziness and business, we are teaching our twins to be entrepreneurs. Since I find it hard to control my calendar during the summer months, this week I plan to get ahead for July and map out some business activities.
Plate #4, I love to run, although this takes time out of my schedule that I could be using to work on homework or take care of my household, I need to balance out my calendar and make sure I take care of myself. This plate helps me juggle plate #1, #2, and #3 more passionately.
Plate #5, morning devotion. I enjoy getting up early before everyone else and spending my quiet time with God. This is the most important plate that balances out all my other plates.
As you think about your personal plates, I want you to think about this question; what if we pursued our potential like how God pursues our hearts? From the song unstoppable Love by Kim Walker-Smith; “God you pursue me with power and glory, unstoppable love that never ends. Your unrelenting with passion and mercy, unstoppable love that never ends”.

As we go about our weeks ahead; may we all “seek first the kingdom of God and his righteousness, and all these things will be given to us as well” (Matt 6:33 NIV) and may we all “Commit to the Lord whatever we do, and he will establish our plans” (Prov 16:3 NIV).
Worship with us; Unstoppable Love by Kim Walker-Smith

I love this image from Toby Mac!