Reviewed by Dr Sneha Kirubakaran

3 MINUTE READ

From Luke’s Journal October 2023  |  Vol.28 No.3  |  Mental Health I

Editor’s Note:  As part of caring for my own mental health, keeping the mission behind the tasks clear (with God firmly at the centre) is an integral part of flourishing as a Christian.  As a ‘productivity geek’ with many balls in the air, I am looking forward to reading this book! ¹ 

I love productivity tools, productivity apps, productivity tricks, and productivity techniques! So when a book promises to combine theological depth with time-management and productivity literature, I am hooked!

Perman preaches “Gospel-Driven Productivity,”¹ which highlights that because Jesus accomplished everything for us on the cross, we actually don’t have to be productive! But we are productive, simply because we overflow with love and gratitude to God for what He has done. We seek to be even more productive as agents of His love for a hungering and hurting world that has great needs. Perman writes, “Knowing how to get things done puts us squarely in the realm of sanctification and discipleship. It is therefore a critical tool for living the life God calls us to.”

To explain Gospel-Driven Productivity, Perman states, “The gospel changes everything. It affects the way we go about all areas of life – the workplace, business, the arts, culture, serving the poor, everything. … When we are driven by the gospel, we act in God’s power and work for the peace and prosperity of everyone.” He quotes John Wesley who said, “Do all the good you can, by all the means you can, in all the ways you can, in all the places you can, at all the times you can, to all the people you can, as long as you ever can.”

In his preface, Perman identifies twelve productivity myths and counters them with contrasting truths. Here are three of my favourites:

• Myth #3:
  “It is not essential to give consideration to what God has to say about productivity”

Truth: “We cannot be truly productive unless all our activity stems from love for God and the acknowledgement that He is sovereign over all our plans.”

• Myth #5:
  “The way to be productive is to tightly manage yourself (and others!)”

Truth: “Productivity comes from engagement, not tight control.  When we are motivated, we don’t need to tightly control ourselves (or others).”

• Myth #6:
  “The aim of time management should be our peace of mind”

 Truth: “Productivity is first about doing good for others to the glory of God.”

With chapters such as, ‘Why we need a uniquely Christian view on productivity’ and ‘How the Gospel makes us productive’, Perman lays a solid Biblical foundation for seeking to maximise our productivity. He then challenges and assists readers to identify their mission and life goal. He gives the example of William Wilberforce whose mission was to “glorify God and enjoy him forever”, and whose life goal was to “bring an end to the slave trade.” Perman notes that we can fail at our life goal while still accomplishing our life’s mission. With these driving vision statements before us, Perman works through a series of practical techniques to better accomplish them.

Articulating my mission (“Delight in God and delight Him”), helped me to see that each day could be a rich source of activities and events that accomplish this mission. So, I can rejoice in God and give Him great glory regardless of how many things I have ticked off my to do list. It shifts the emphasis from me to Him. Articulating my life goal (related to some lofty medical education dreams I have 😉), enabled me to recognise that I need to prioritise activities that move me closer to accomplishing this goal over things that will not, even if they are good activities. And the most useful practical tip I have incorporated into my life is to process my email inbox down to zero daily! Perman argues this will decrease the cognitive load and enable you to effectively and efficiently accomplish the tasks in your inbox. I can attest to this!

So, whether you are a goal-oriented, action-oriented, productivity junkie like me, or just a simple servant seeking “to glorify God and enjoy Him forever,” I can recommend this theological and practical book.

What’s Best Next: How the Gospel Transforms the Way You Get Things Done
by Matthew Aaron Perman
ISBN‏: ‎ 0310533988
2016 Zondervan

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References:

1. Perman M. What’s best next: How the Gospel transforms the way you get things done: Zondervan; 2014, 2016.