“Gotta minute?”

If you’re an educator, you’ve probably heard those words more times than you can count. They seem to come at the most inconvenient moments—when you’re mid-lesson, grabbing a quick bite, or heading out the door. And let’s be real—it’s rarely ever just a minute. 

One day, I tracked how much time I spent on unplanned conversations and tasks. At the end of the day, I was overwhelmed by the results.

Do you ever feel like your time and energy are slipping away, leaving you less focused on what truly matters?

It seems like every year at this time, I enter the Advent season exhausted instead of excited. By the time Christmas comes, I tend to look back and regret the student connections I missed, or the opportunity to support staff because I was caught up in too many “gotta minute” conversations. 

In this busy season leading up to Christmas, when the pressures of work and holiday obligations pile on, it’s easy to get overwhelmed. But Colossians 2:7 reminds us of where we find our strength and focus:

Let your roots grow down into him, and let your lives be built on him. Then your faith will grow strong in the truth you were taught, and you will overflow with thankfulness. Colossians 2:7, NLT

As we prepare our hearts for the celebration of Christ’s birth, how can we stay rooted in Him—still serving our students and colleagues well while resisting the distractions and derailments that threaten to pull us away?

We can start by asking ourselves some important questions… 

Who am I listening to?

During this season of Advent, are you allowing God’s voice to lead, or are you being swayed by the noise around you? Gossip, negativity, or even well-meaning chatter can pull us off course. How can you create space to listen for God’s whisper instead of the static and noise that takes us further away from his voice? 

What am I consuming that brings me closer to Him?

This isn’t about the holiday treats in the lounge or the egg nog lattes on your desk, but rather the hours spent scrolling social media, obsessing over to-do lists, or binge-watching holiday movies to escape the chaos. If you can relate, consider spending more time in Advent devotionals, watching faith-based television and movies like The Chosen, or reading a book that renews your spirit and strengthens your faith.

What does my calendar look like?

Amid the Christmas concerts, classroom parties, and gift exchanges, you can intentionally protect your time with God by starting your morning with prayer, pausing to read Scripture during the day, or committing to setting boundaries around interruptions that don’t align with your mission.

When we let our roots grow deep in Christ, our faith becomes the anchor that steadies us, even during the busiest and most distracting seasons. This Christmas, let’s protect our mission as educators by focusing on the One who came to bring peace, joy, and hope.

Call to Action:

• Reflect: Who or what is pulling you away from your focus on Christ this Advent season?
• Refocus: How can you create intentional moments to prepare your heart for Him each day?
• Respond: Commit to one step this week—whether it’s setting boundaries, diving into a devotional, or saying “no” to unnecessary distractions—to stay mission-focused and rooted in your calling.

Let your faith overflow with thankfulness as you keep your eyes fixed on the true reason for the season!