Sometimes a word really sticks with you.

In July, I went to a pre-Declare Conference workshop and listened to two blogging gurus, Holly Homer and Amy Lynn Andrews. Umm, here’s where my dear, sweet friend Kathy and I *might* have been a little starstruck:

Holly and Amy Lynn spoke on different topics. But we all had the same question for both of them:

“How can I do that with my current workload/family life/ministry/writing style/techie know-how {insert your own obstacle limitation blessing here}?

Of course, most often the answer was, “It depends…” because it was impossible for these women to answer us in detail, when they didn’t actually know us. Just like it was impossible for us not to ask for personal advice when faced with that much kindness and genius!

One very helpful word came up several times, in both sessions: Sustainable.

A common response to our questions was, “Ask yourself: Is it sustainable?”

The litmus test of, “Is it sustainable?” is one of my big take-homes from the conference (you can read about other two here and here). This question is a great clarifier. If the answer is, “I am too busy to keep that practice up,” or “in the long run it is just too expensive,” then I can see very quickly that the new venture is not sustainable.

Ask Yourself, “Is it Sustainable?” 

I think this word-test can be applied to anything new you are thinking about adding to your plate:

• Should you head up the committee at church or teach the Sunday School class? Ask yourself, Is it sustainable? Does this new responsibility fit into my current (and/or future) life?
• Should you be Room Mother? Or Brownie Troop leader? Should you babysit Sarah’s kids because you stay home with yours? Don’t answer without asking yourself, Is it sustainable? You might realize, I know I have time this month, but not once basketball season starts.
• Should you to apply for the better position at work? Think,”Is it sustainable?” The promotion may be an honor and you may deserve it, but what if your family needs more time with you, not less? Maybe the answer, for now, is “No.”

This Fall, I am going to keep this word in my back pocket: Sustainable. Sometimes we have to agree to stretch ourselves, do hard things, grow in painful ways…but other times we launch into new projects, obligations, or responsibilities hastily.

I have said, “Yes,” for the wrong reasons (like people-pleasing/seeking approval from others, fear of missing opportunities, misplaced guilt, or perfectionistic pride). And when I say, “Yes,” for the wrong reasons, I always regret it.

Let’s not forget to pray about important decisions, but let’s trust God to make the answer clear to us. One way we can determine our fitness for a new task is by asking ourselves, “Is it sustainable?”

What new projects have come across your plate lately? When you are asked to help or encouraged to volunteer, do you agree immediately and regret it later? Do you think this word-test might help you to give an answer you won’t regret?