Can, Should, Must {just write – day 7}

3 questions.

3 questions that have been rattling around in my brain since Monday evening.  

3 questions that I hope I can use to process what I do every single day… questions to help me get the big rocks in the jar before the pebbles, sand, or water.

Question #1: What can I do?

Growing up in a “you can do ANYTHING” culture, stopping to ask this question shows me how broad it really is.  It reminds me of back when I was trying to figure out what to major in for college.  My top three choice were quite varied: Director of Christian Education; Music Teacher; and Engineer.  The thing is, with the skills I had and a focused determination, I probably could have succeeded at any of those things.  The same is true today when I sort through all the opportunities before me in any given day. There are a TON of things I could do with my time, but then we have to take the next step…

Question #2: What should I do?

This question is a narrowing one for me… A question that takes into consideration my time, my gifts and passions, at times the expectations of others (eg a job description), and even things like my desires, dreams and needs.  In the midst of all the options before me what should I do? 

Question #3: What must I do?

Even with taking in all the considerations listed in question 2, I think we could all say it still seems there is more things we “should” do than there is time for. If I stop at question 2 I am left exhausted and frustrated that I’m unable to do what I feel I need to do. That’s where we go through the last funnel of what MUST I do.   Outside of the context of the other two questions this one can suddenly become overwhelming and guilt-ridden.  But it’s not about “must” do in the sense of someone standing over me demanding it. Rather it’s the passion building inside of me that requires action.  These are the kinds of things that keep you awake at night or get you out the door in the morning. These are the instances where we see injustice and MUST act.  These are the driving forces in which we find meaning and purpose. 

This last question reminds me of Jeremiah’s exclamation:

“But if I say, ‘I will not mention [the Lord] or speak anymore in His name,’ His word is in my heart like a fire, a fire shut up in my bones. I am weary of holding it in; indeed, I cannot.” (Jeremiah 20:9)

I also am reminded of Peter and John when they were commanded to not speak or teach at all in the name of Jesus and they replied:

“Judge for yourselves whether it is right in God’s sight to obey you rather than God. For we cannot help speaking about what we have seen and heard.” (Acts 4:19-20)

For all three of these men, their “MUST” involved speaking of God and what He had done in their lives. What is it for you? What is one thing you MUST do?  Maybe it’s protecting or providing for your family. Maybe it’s speaking up for the vulnerable in the world and standing against an injustice. Maybe, it’s simply getting out of bed one more day. 

What is one thing you must do today? And what’s the motivation behind that ‘must’?  I would love to hear your story!