In previous generations, our survival was at stake. A drought could result in a famine. Most people spent 90% of their disposable income on food. They were subsistence farmers – survival was an everyday proposition.

In today’s society, food is no longer an issue. We spend just 6% of our income on food. Our time is now our most precious commodity.

Unfortunately, many people have not adjusted their lifestyles to take into account this change. They continue to live as though survival is at issue. Houses have grown much bigger and are filled with more stuff; cars have become more powerful; discretionary income is frittered away. And government and nonprofit organizations have built a more comprehensive safety net than ever existed in the past.

But the fact remains that survival is not in question. The primary challenge we face is what we will do with our time. In this regard, we are all volunteers. We work the first 10% of our week to pay for our true survival needs, and after that, we are free to do what we want. The only thing limiting our ability to pursue our true calling is the lifestyle we’ve chosen.

The bottom line is that we should be doing what we really love. If you love to disciple young people, you should be spending more than half your time doing that. If you hate administrative minutiae, stop making yourself and everybody else miserable by trying to that! Give the job to someone who likes it.

Too many people compromise when what they need to do is grab life by the throat.