not too much

The first Sunday in Advent begins the church year anew.In one word, Advent is about preparation. Preparation of ourselves for what may be ahead. Preparation of the 'way of the Lord'. So about this time each year I take to assessing what to take up that's new and what to stop doing; tasks to get rid of, resign from, give up or just quit. To do this, I've valued a list of tests by Emeritus Professor Headley Beare, published in the Melbourne Anglican a few years ago, but sadly no longer on its website. I've made asummary ...

The test of Bliss: Is this activity something I really like doing, deep down? Is it something I really want to do?

The test of Vocation: Is this something I am suited to doing, which appropriately makes use of my talents, and which is in keeping with my Christian and professional calling?

The test of Uniqueness: Why me? Why have I been asked or approached? Is this something only I can do, for which I have unique competence?

The test of Coherence: Does this activity harmonize with my current priorities and centres of interest?

The test of Networking: Does (or will) this activity keep me in touch with significant people or activities, and will it do the same for my spouse or partner?

The test of the Strategic: Is the audience or the target group for this exercise important enough to warrant the investment of my time and energy?

The test of the Prophetic: Does this activity or assignment give me the opportunity to be prophetic (in the biblical sense)? Does the undertaking make me bold?

The test of Remuneration: Who is meeting the costs of this assignment, literally?

The test of Opportunities Foregone: Will this assignment prevent me from doing something else more important, or something which I must do, which I am already committed to do, or which I really want to do?

Finally, the 'test of Peace': At the primal level, does this assignment leave me feeling easy in my mind?

One need hardly add that this review takes time; if I am not accorded that time, the answer is always 'no'.

Because such a review combines inner work and prayer, you don't have to justify your decision or make excuses. 'Simply let your "Yes" be "Yes" and your "No", "No", Jesus advised (Matt 5:37).