I am a proponent of going to the day rather than allowing the day to come to you. Let me explain—most people will bemoan the fact that a birthday or a holiday such as Valentine’s Day just crept upon them. That is one of the most foolish excuses I have ever heard. Valentine’s Day is always on February 14. A person who is prepared and organized will not allow events to “creep up” on him. I do not believe in this type of living—neither did our Lord.

Our Lord lived for His hour. He repeatedly stated that His hour had not yet come until the time of His crucifixion. Our Lord also clearly gives us an outline of the future. We know very distinctly that there will be a falling away and the rapture of the church. We are informed of a seven-year tribulation time, the Marriage Supper of the Lamb, the Judgment Seat of Christ, and a millennial reign. In other words, our Lord has set the example for us to follow—to be organized and prepared for what is to come.

Over forty years ago, I read in a book that no person should go to work on Monday morning without previous preparation. That preparation should be made for approximately two hours on the Friday afternoon before the first workday of the week. The writer also instructed to plan work schedules rather than to work the plan.

If you are like me, I am always working on my calendar. In fact, I am daily working with that calendar. In addition, I work with a file-folder system. (If I were computer literate, I would use the computer.) I have file folders listing several special and upcoming events. For example, here are a few of the 40+ folders I work from each day:

  • Thanksgiving
  • Christmas
  • New Year’s
  • “I Love My Church” Sunday
  • Easter
  • Pastors’ and Workers’ Conference
  • The Lord’s Table
  • Youth Conference
  • Stewardship and Missions Conference

I am constantly placing materials in these files, such as songs, poems, thoughts, ambitions, goals, and topics. 

My parents lived this way. They were organized, detailed, and always “ahead of the game.” My father was a salesman, and I watched him come home from work every evening and set aside time to work in his planner. My wife has also taught me much on this subject. She and I both write down our notes for the next day, week, month, and year.

May I challenge each of you to take time on a daily, weekly, monthly, quarterly, and annual basis to determine your goals for your life. This should also be done for your family, business, health, finances, and ministry.

I understand these are simple thoughts, yet they have helped me in my own life. I hope this article will provoke some to perhaps reexamine their lives and provoke them to live on schedule and with a purpose. Go to life; don’t allow life to come to you. God bless you.

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Pastor Jack Trieber

Pastor Trieber

Pastor Trieber has served as the pastor of the North Valley Baptist Church since March of 1976. He is also the President of Golden State Baptist College.