Time for a confession: I’m behind on my to do list—like, really behind. (There, I said it.)

The truth is, I have more on my list for yesterday that is unfinished than I can think of today. I would say that this is just a busy season, but it would be more accurate to say that it’s a busier season. I’m always busy (thankfully so), but currently, I’m in a season full of deadlines and (seemingly) short on creativity.

I don’t like being behind…and I’m guessing that you don’t either.

The good news is that there is a sure-fire way to avoid it. Seriously. If you follow this simple step, you’ll not get behind on a single big project again. Ever.

The secret?

Don’t attempt a big project.

If you never embark on something great, you never miss a deadline, never under-deliver, never fail.

But if you want to engage in work and ministry that makes a difference, you will probably be tackling projects that are bigger than you are. And invariably, you’ll come up short.

As I consider the unfinished items on last week’s list, I’m reminded that I get to be part of meaningful work. I get to share in a ministry I believe in, and I get to edit print projects that I know make a difference in lives.

Do I always see this? Of course not. I often only see the mountain of projects in front of me and my inadequacy to complete them. In focusing on my limited ability I fail to see that my weakness is the only gateway to God’s strength.

Quite frankly, the actual physical components of my unfinished lists are microcosmic glimpses into my greater insufficiencies. Without God’s enabling, anointing, and sustaining, the work I do—no matter how successful I am at checking off tasks—is in vain.

Are you behind today? Do you have more to dos than time? More projects than energy? More problems than creativity?

Neither you nor I would ever have to worry about having too much to do and too little to do it with if we weren’t involved in doing something great for God—something larger than ourselves!

If you want to eliminate the problem of being behind, you can do so quite simply—don’t begin.

But if you would rather be involved in serving a God who is greater than you and who allows you to partner with Him in work that is beyond you, then begin the projects, and rejoice in His strength!

Therefore I take pleasure in infirmities, in reproaches, in necessities, in persecutions, in distresses for Christ’s sake: for when I am weak, then am I strong.—2 Corinthians 12:10