We’ve finished 2005, but many of the goals we had set at the beginning of the year are still alive, now falling into the category of unfinished business.

I speak for myself.

Partially written books that I had expected to finish last year await my attention.  The expansion of the circulation of this column from thirty-six to all fifty states and additional provinces of Canada must be moved to 2006.  Some I had intended to help resolve issues of faith are still wrestling with doubts and fears.

How did last year escape without giving me time to accomplish my goals?  

Do any of my readers identify with this question?

Is there anyone else out there with unfinished business?

How can we fix 2006 to make our lives more productive, more helpful to others, more effective in building faith, in resolving differences, in enriching worship, in reaching out to troubled people?

Where can we find the time to do what needs to be done?  Better said: How can we use the time entrusted to us this year to make a difference, to accomplish our goals?

When Charles M. Schwab was president of Bethlehem Steel, he confronted Ivy Lee, a management consultant, with an unusual challenge: “Show me a way to get more things done, and if it works I’ll pay anything within reason,” he said.

Lee handed Schwab a sheet of paper, telling him to write down the things he had to do the next day, and Schwab did it.

“Now number those items in the order of their real importance,” Lee said.  Again, Schwab did as he’d been told.

“The first thing tomorrow morning,” Lee added, “start working on number one, and stay with it until it is completed.  Then proceed to number two, and don’t go any further until it is completed.  Then proceed to number three, and so on.  If you can’t complete everything on schedule, don’t worry.  At least you will have taken care of the most important things before getting distracted by items of lesser consequence.

“The secret is to do this daily,” continued Lee.  “Evaluate the relative importance of the things you have to get done…establish priorities…record your plan of action…and stick to it.  Do this every working day.  After you have convinced yourself of the value of this system, have your men try it.  Test it as long as you like.  Then send me a check for whatever you think its worth.”

A few weeks later, Schwab sent Ivy Lee a check for $25,000. This successful businessman was willing to pay well for an idea that enabled him to accomplish more.   

We have a greater incentive than making money or succeeding in business.  The most underrated rewards in the universe must be those that will ultimately be awarded by the Lord to the faithful for their service to Him.

Last week, I wrote to each of my grandchildren, urging them to make the best use of their time.  At the bottom of each letter, I added two words: “GOD FIRST!”  Let’s get that priority in place here at the beginning of the year and see how it affects everything we do.  I suspect, in doing so, we’ll end 2006 with less unfinished business.