In the last few months I’ve become more intentional about spending my time in ways that make a broader impact (particularly as it relates to matters of faith). My time is finite. (Your time is too.) When I say yes to a gig, I want it to be reflective of my goals and priorities.

Yesterday I said yes.

Next month I’ll lead a seminar about using social media for the Christian Camp and Conference Center Association (CCA) Carolinas/Virginia Sectional Meeting. That’s a lot of words to say I’ll be helping people who are intentional about kingdom impact and who have the opportunity to invest in hundreds/thousands of lives over the course of time.

THAT excites me.

• I can’t pour into the lives of thousands of youth seeking a deeper faith (or a new faith) each summer. My time is too finite.
• I can’t provide lodging for hundreds of women’s retreats, offering fellowship and hope each spring and fall. My house is too small.
• I can’t connect groups seeking space to reflect and grow, with conference centers who are designed with that purpose in mind. My contacts aren’t that specific.
• I can’t equip ministers in five states to carry out their calling. My knowledge isn’t that broad.
• I can’t inspire lay people throughout the Virginias/Carolinas to live out their faith in ways that reach the world. My experiences are too limited.

But by focusing on what I can do – teach others how to use social media – I can make bigger footprints.

My own life has been shaped dramatically by my experiences at Christians camps and conference centers. These are people who make it happen, day in, day out. I’m looking forward to sharing how they can use social media to broaden their impact.

And in so doing, I’ll be broadening my own.

How might you need to shift your focus from can’t, to can? How do you align your actions with your goals and core values? How can you make the biggest impact with your finite resources?

As a side note, my ability to speak at this conference is actually a shared ministry. I’m thankful for Peter’s encouragement to follow my calling and his willingness to hold down the fort while I’m away.

Creative Commons photo Footprint in the Sand on Flickr.