| Throttle Back! Words that we seldom utter, especially concerning a lifestyle. Well, we might utter them when we hit a wall or when our personal life spins out of control. Unfortunately, it is often too late when things come crashing down. Having said that, what if throttle back was not an afterthought but a proactive goal? A few weeks ago, I was asked to talk to a Sunday school class about money and tithing. As I answered questions from the class, we discussed the larger issue of priorities which are manifested in how we spend our money and use our time. Those two commodities reveal our priorities. In North America, most people are over-extended consumers. Perhaps it is the fear of missing out (FOMO) or the desire to keep up with our neighbors, but most people live with a lack of margin concerning their time and their money. Driven, by comparison, we overextend. Normally, this is the reality until we hit the wall only to be plummeted into a new painful reality—not by choice. However, what if we adopted a Throttle Back Mentality as a way of life? Doing so would safeguard our time and money so that we don’t live stretched each month. Perhaps you have hit the wall or are fearful that you are close to it, what should you do to throttle back? Consider these steps: 1. What is a realistic, honest, assessment of my situation? Look at where you spend your time. Look at how you spend your money. Put it down on paper or a spreadsheet. To make a change there must be an honest assessment of one’s reality. We have to know where to begin. 2. What or where do you want to be in one year? Describe it, paint the picture, and list your priorities concerning time and money. Be specific as possible. This is the goal. 3. Now that you see the distance between where you are and where you want to be, what one or two things can you do differently with your time and money? Making these changes doesn’t mean you will reach the goal in a year, but it does point you in the right direction. Bite-size steps are more achievable. 4. Repeat the steps each year. Eventually, you will reach your goal!  This Week’s Readings: *Monday – 1 Timothy 2 *Tuesday – 1 Timothy 3 *Wednesday- 1 Timothy 4 *Thursday – 1 Timothy 5 *Friday- 1 Timothy 6 Prayer Requests: *Children’s safety and anxiety as the new school year starts up. *Heal those who are sick and protect those who are not. *Comfort those who are grieving and in distress. *Wisdom for our leaders as they navigate through uncertain times. *Guidance for those seeking to find their way. *Continued Growth Inside and Outside the Walls of St. Paul UMC. |
| “Don’t worry about anything; instead, pray about everything. Tell God what you need and thank him for all he has done.” – Philippians 4:6 |