How To Reprioritize When Your World Has Been Flipped Upside Down

I’ve worked from home before, and I’ve worked from home with kids present, but this felt different. Yesterday was completely different because everything around us has changed. The work my kids had to do wasn’t like summer assignments, and to be honest, I’m not entirely sure how my life schedule should look. None of us have ever been in a situation like this; however, there are past experiences I can use. When I left my job at the Church of the Nativity, I found myself rediscovering who I am. There have been hurricanes and snowstorms that have left my family homebound. This situation is almost a culmination of all those things, but it still feels foreign.

I’m willing to bet I’m not alone, and that’s why at Marathon Youth Ministry, we’re looking at ways to help you adjust. We’ll be reassessing resources and enhancing our community connection. You can also visit our Instagram and Facebook account, see me on CYM Live with Michael Marchand, and the Church Podcast with John Rinaldo. In other words, let’s stay connected. And as we connect, let’s figure out our schedules, so if you are at a loss because what’s reasonable has disappeared. Or, if you are feeling overwhelmed because all of a sudden, you are homeschooling and fighting for your  job:

TAKE A STEP BACK AND TAKE TIME TO BREATHE

Is there a part of you that’s happy everything is canceled? If so, know that you aren’t alone, and it’s because you’ve been grinding it out for the last few months and have needed a break. While this isn’t a vacation it is an opportunity to recalibrate and revisit quiet time and your personal prayer life.

You don’t have to rush out of bed to get to work. It’s an opportunity to find a spot in your home to write in a journal, read the Bible, and be with God. I believe we’ve been living in a world of Marthas, and God has called us to be like Mary. Abide in the Lord, and He’ll bring you peace.

CONVERT TO LONG TERM THINKING

If this were a snow day, it would be tempting to sit down and binge on our favorite shows or dive into the pantry to make some homemade cookies. Unfortunately, this isn’t going away anytime soon, and even if it does, it’s the first time when excuses like:

This is the way we’ve always done it

No longer hold any weight. This is our time to reinvent ministry, so the question we should be thinking is, “How can I do ministry now that this is the new normal?” Granted, we’re only a few days into this, but it’s important to reflect on this question because we’re all pioneers in a new frontier.

Take some time each day to research new technologies and methods of teaching God’s Truth. Think big, dream big because right now, many of the rules we know are being rewritten.

CONNECT WITH OTHERS FOR NO REASON

I’ve found myself calling family and friends I haven’t talked to in a while. Yes, some busywork still needs to get done (e.g., taxes); however, it’s essential to see how others are doing. If you live with others, take walks while you still can, play a board game, and have that family dinner. Reach out to your volunteers, especially those who live alone. The amount of time you spend connecting with volunteers, parents, teens, and your own family will bless you beyond belief. Not only will you be sharing God’s love, but you’ll also learn about the people you are called to serve.

It’s easy to feel out of sorts considering everything else is chaotic, but look at this as an opportunity to reset and create. Many of the old obstacles (e.g., youth sports) and hold-ups (That’s the way we’ve always done it) are no longer in the way. Yes, we have new limits and new obstacles, but again the rules are unwritten, so let’s write them together.

How are you reshaping your schedule for the upcoming weeks?

Looking to connect with other youth workers to figure out a new way of ministry? Join MYM U today.

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