Impacting lives for the kingdom of God is the most important goal of believers. In today’s post guest blogger Kimberly Drew tells how easy it is to lose sight of that goal whatever your work may be–parenting kids with disabilities, teaching school, pastoring a church, putting together widgets on an assembly line–and how to regain it again.

A few weeks ago, I had one of my back-to-school nightmares. In it my classroom was covered in trash and Lego pieces. I was frantically cleaning before the students came. New curriculum, a student with severe allergies, new co-teachers or administration, a change of classroom or teaching grade, all these things can add to the nerves before school starts and result in nightmares. If I’m not careful, the details also start to crowd out the most important goal for me as a Christian: impacting lives for the kingdom of God.

James and John lost sight of this in Mark 10 when they start lobbying for positions next to Jesus in heaven. He reminded them about why he came. His singular focus, to do the will of the Father by serving unto death for the sins of the world, would make a way for us to enter the kingdom of God. This reminder followed a third time Jesus predicted his own death. Immediately, James and John started vying for his affection. The rest of the disciples became indignant. Talk about being distracted from impacting lives for the kingdom of God!

If I’m honest, I get distracted too. Sometimes I’m tempted to think that I can check the service box off my ridiculous what-good-Christians-do mental checklist. Yes, God has placed students in my life to serve them as Christ served. However they are not my only calling. My primary calling can be found in Mark 12:29-31:

 “The most important one,” answered Jesus, “is this: ‘Hear, O Israel: The Lord our God, the Lord is one. Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind and with all your strength.’ The second is this: ‘Love your neighbor as yourself.’ There is no commandment greater than these.”

Yes, I must serve my students and my own children, two of whom have disabilities. However I must first love the Lord my God with everything in me. Out of that relationship, my ability to serve others will only become sweeter and deeper.

If you find the details of your career, life, or the care of your children are clouding your perspective, remember that impacting lives for the kingdom of God is your most important goal on earth. Your co-workers, precious children, relatives, and friends all need you to be a servant pointing the way to Jesus. Maybe like me, you’re getting overwhelmed by details that are crowding out that goal. If so, take time to refocus today and set your mind on Christ.

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