By Tim Smith

“So. We have a problem. Time... On a regular basis I catch myself saying, ‘I wish there were 10 more hours in the day...' The solution To an over busy life is not more time. It's to slow down and simplify our lives around what really matters.” John Mark Comer, The Ruthless Elimination of Hurry.

But how do you determine what really matters and how do you determine what really matters in your life? To be able to do that, you first have to slow down and give the time to reflection. But reflect on what? Mason King has created a tool to help us with that in what he calls “The Three Questions.” These simple, yet powerful, three questions will help you figure out the gap between your stated theology and your belief and their functional theology (the belief that comes out in their reactions). It works when you give it time. It’s just three questions, but, it will reveal not only where you are in your life versus where you (and God) want you to be. Don't rush them, and don't write the answers you're supposed to write. Write the honest answers. Nobody is grading this, least of all God.

Question #1: Who do you hope to become? (Or maybe more importantly, who does God want you to become and are those two aligned?  What adjectives do you want others to use when they describe you in five years?

Question #2: Who are you becoming today?

Who you are today is the product of the choices from all your yesterdays. They impact not only what you think, how you act but also what you believe. Who are you becoming right now?

Question #3: How do you think God describes you right now? Write down what you actually tell yourself God thinks about you.

Now look at your answers to question three. Are they representative of the God of the Bible?

Now compare question one and question two. Is there a gap? Does that gap sting a little?

I saw an interview with Mike Tomlinson as he transitions from coaching to the booth. In it, they mentioned many of his sayings that often come in the spur of the moment, called Tomlinsons. One that was shared: “The standard is the standard.” Think about that for moment. What is the standard? As followers of Christ, let us not forget that Jesus sets the standard, not us.” And that goodness because if I’m honest, the standard I would set is alot lower than Jesus’ standard. Remember, where the standard sits.

Take some time this week and find a quiet place for yourself, free of distractions and interruptions, and reflect on the three questions. What does it reveal? What do you need to do to step up to the standard?