Andre Zizi, Economy Analyst, revealed that the self-help industry generated around $19 billion dollars in sales in 2008, with projected sales to increase in the following years. The self-help industry success is due to the overwhelming needs of individuals that want to live a more productive life. People are searching for a sense of fulfillment or their place in this world. They often times reflect on their life and ask themselves what have I done with myself, how come I am not further along like my peers? These reflective moments invoke an overwhelming sense of despair and un-fulfillment enters in. A natural reaction to this feeling is to immerse oneself into doing busy work, without thought or care. Our only objective is to feel levels of success, nothing more and nothing less. Many times at the end of these activities we still feel unfulfilled and that empty feeling within still exists. So we continue to work random activities or projects to get the next high, never thinking that we are designed for a greater work. Busy work is not productivity!
Productivity is a very difficult and personal topic to deal with, because it has a direct link to who you are as an individual. What do you mean? As we look at this topic of productivity from a biblical perspective, you will see that productivity has a direct correlation to your God given purpose. This truth is established in John 15:1 & 2 and it states: “I am the true vine, and my Father is the husbandman. Every branch in me that beareth not fruit he taketh away; and every branch that bearth fruit, he purgeth it, that it may bring more fruit”. The Lord is telling us that our ability to produce or to be productive is tied up in Him. We the branch, can only be productive in Him and His will for our life. Side Note; God provides us with all the resources needed to be productive or fruitful (gifts, talents, money, wisdom, revelation, instructions…). The more we operate in our purpose, the greater our ability to say NO to those things that are unfruitful. The ability to say NO becomes a way that God purgeth us, so that we can become more fruitful.
How do I become productive according to my purpose? There are no easy answers, but our purpose is revealed to us over time. Here are some markers and reflective questions that will help us along this journey:
*What am I passionate about? Your purpose is connected to your passion.
*What are my gifts and talents? (What are some things that I am good at?)
*What are some things that make me mad and/or angry?
Consider these questions as you begin your journey in true productivity. It is my desire that God will reveal His plans for your life and as He does, we must become more purposeful in the activities or projects we choose. Think About It!
Arnulfo A. Peat, Jr. is currently the Executive Pastor of Urban Empowerment and Founder of Think About It Ministries. Peat serves in the ministry with his wife Nicole Peat with their three children Elisha, Nathaniel, and Valerie. For more information go to www.ThinkAboutIt.name
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