Teach Us To Number Our Days Aright

By Suzanne Provagna and Dwayne Moore

As we dig into the rhythms of our daily lives as church leaders, it’s so easy to find ourselves caught in the whirlwind. We often measure our success by the length of our to-do lists or the precision of our Sunday morning transitions. But if we are honest, many of us are carrying a weight that was never ours to bear. We feel the pressure to perform, to produce, and to stay ahead of a schedule that never seems to end.

In our shared journey toward whole-life worship, we must learn to pause. We must learn to look at our time through the lens of eternity rather than the lens of our current stress. Today, I am so grateful to share a profound reflection from our NLW US Ambassador, Suzanne Provagna. Her words are a gentle, urgent call back to the heart of our Father, reminding us that true peace isn't found in a cleared inbox, but in a Spirit-led heart.

Here is Suzanne's heart for us today.

---

A Reflection from Suzanne Provagna

NLW US Ambassador

Teach us to number our days aright, that we may gain a heart of wisdom.
Psalm 90:12

Feeling stressed? Overwhelmed? Maybe a bit anxious?
None of that is from Jesus. His Word says in Romans 8:6 that the mind governed by the flesh is death, but the mind governed by the Spirit is life and peace.
When you’re led by the Spirit of God, He gives you peace.
There is always going to be ample opportunity for you to use your giftings and talents, but the most important asset you can offer God, is to give Him your full attention and obedience.
There will always be things on your “to-do” list that don’t get done. But if you’re led by the Spirit of God, you will get done what God has on His “to-do” list for you. That, my friend, is all that matters.
Jesus was often considered late by other people’s standards. And yet, He was always perfectly on time according to His Father. Being led by the Spirit of God trumps every other thing in your life.
I’ve been working for a year now, on memorizing Romans Chapter 8. It is powerful, beautiful, and life-changing. I’m up to verse 10, and I don’t care if it takes me 10 years to learn all of it. In my opinion, the longer it takes to memorize, the better it is for me. Because I have more time to ponder and think and meditate on it . . . and see and feel the beautiful love of our Savior, Jesus Christ.
So, if you’re feeling stressed, overwhelmed, or anxious, I invite you to do two things.

1. Shift your perspective and pray to have your “to-do” list evaporate and be replaced with God’s “to-do” list.
2. Memorize and meditate on Scripture like your life depends on it, because it does.
   May the love and peace of our Lord Jesus Christ bless you and your family today and always.

---

The Burden of the Flesh vs. the Peace of the Spirit

As I read Suzanne’s words, I am struck by the clarity she brings to the struggle we all face. When she mentions that stress and anxiety are "not from Jesus," she is pointing us toward a foundational truth in Romans 8:6. The "flesh" isn't just about physical desires; it’s about a mindset that tries to navigate life independently of God.

For many worship leaders and pastors, the "flesh" shows up as the need to be the hero. We think that if we don't work the extra five hours or fine-tune every single slide, the worship service will fail. But that mindset is a path to spiritual exhaustion: what Paul calls "death." It kills our joy, our creativity, and our connection with Him.

In contrast, setting our minds on the Spirit brings "life and peace." It’s not about doing less; it’s about doing the right things under the right Authority. When we surrender our schedules to Him, He provides a supernatural peace that guards our hearts even when the "to-do" list remains long.

The "Godly To-Do List"

Suzanne’s invitation to let our to-do lists "evaporate" and be replaced with God’s list is a radical act of surrender. Think about the ministry of Jesus. He didn't heal every sick person in every town. He didn't answer every question immediately. He moved at the pace of His Father’s voice.

When we talk about whole-life worship, we are talking about this kind of alignment. It means that our "full attention and obedience" are more valuable than our technical skills. If we finish our list but lose our communion with Christ, we have gained nothing of eternal value.

Ask yourself today: Am I trying to accomplish my list, or am I asking the Holy Spirit what He wants to accomplish through me? Sometimes, God’s "to-do" for you today might simply be to sit in silence or to have a deep conversation with a struggling volunteer. Those moments are never "interruptions": they are the ministry.

Scripture Meditation: A Matter of Life

I love Suzanne’s commitment to memorizing Romans 8. There is a profound difference between reading the Word and dwelling in the Word. When we meditate on Scripture: spending a year or even ten years on a single chapter: we are essentially re-wiring our brains to think God’s thoughts.

At Next Level Worship, we emphasize that leaders cannot lead people where they haven't gone themselves. If you want your congregation to be transformed by the Word, you must first be a person of the Word. This is why we created resources like WorshipLife, to help leaders move from performance to personal formation.

Romans 8:10 reminds us that "the Spirit is life because of righteousness." When we hide these truths in our hearts, they become a wellspring of life that overflows into our leadership. It changes how we speak to our teams, how we pray on stage, and how we handle the "gale" of ministry challenges.

Numbering Our Days Aright

To "number our days aright" is to live with the awareness that our time is a gift and a stewardship. We don't have forever to make an impact, but we also don't have to rush in fear. We can walk in the "slow and steady" pace of grace.

As you lead your church this week, I want to encourage you to take Suzanne’s advice to heart.

1. Shift your perspective: Before you open your laptop or grab your guitar, spend ten minutes in prayer. Ask the Lord to show you His list for the day.
2. Immerse yourself in truth: Choose a verse: perhaps Psalm 90:12 or Romans 8:6: and let it sit with you all day. Don't just read it; breathe it.

We are here to support you in this journey. Whether it's through our coaching, resources or one on one advisement, our goal is to help you connect, recharge, and lead from a place of authentic worship.

May you find the peace that only Jesus can give as you follow His Spirit today.

Grace and peace,

Dwayne Moore
Founder, Next Level Worship

---

This post was created with the assistance of AI, reflecting the pastoral voice and mission of Next Level Worship.