When Good Things Get in the Way of the Right Things

by Bart Denny

Not long ago, I heard someone describe their life as being like a hummingbird—constantly in motion, wings beating a hundred miles an hour, darting from one flower to the next. “I’m busy doing so much good stuff,” they said, “but I feel like I’m going nowhere.”

That stuck with me—because I think most of us have felt that way at one point or another. Maybe you have. You're doing Bible studies, volunteering at church, keeping up with ministry obligations, helping friends, maybe even serving on three different committees. And yet, instead of feeling energized and joyful, you feel exhausted and strangely unfocused. Like you’re moving fast… but not necessarily forward.

That conversation came back to me recently during a discussion in a graduate-level course I teach on Christian leadership. A student posed a thoughtful question about how to discern what truly matters in ministry. That opened the floodgates—leaders began sharing about their overloaded calendars, the fatigue of trying to keep too many plates spinning, the frustration of trying to move in several directions at once, and the aching sense that the best things might be getting lost in the swirl of good things.

This tension between doing good things and doing the right things is an essential, ongoing challenge in the Christian life. In fact, I’d argue that it’s at the very heart of what it means to grow in discipleship.

The Problem with Good Things

Here’s the problem: not all good things are mission-critical. Not everything we can do is something we must do. Sometimes the sheer number of “good” activities can crowd out the very things God is calling us to focus on.

Even Jesus faced this temptation—and He handled it with striking clarity. In Mark 1:35–38, we find Jesus getting up early to pray in solitude. The day before, He had healed many and cast out demons, and the crowds were already forming again. His disciples came looking for Him, essentially saying, “Everyone’s looking for You!” In modern terms: “The momentum is great! People are responding! Let’s keep the revival going!”

But Jesus replies, “Let us go on to the next towns, that I may preach there also, for that is why I came out.” He says no to more miracles in Capernaum—not because they were unimportant, but because His mission required Him to move forward.

That response is shocking to many of us. We tend to believe that if something is working—or meeting a need—it must be God’s will to continue. But Jesus shows us that clarity of purpose, not urgency or popularity, determines direction.

The Biblical Pattern

This isn’t a one-off moment. All throughout Scripture, we see examples of people being challenged to distinguish between good and best:

• Martha and Mary (Luke 10:38–42): Martha was busy serving—an undeniably good thing—while Mary sat at Jesus’ feet. Jesus gently rebukes Martha, saying, “Mary has chosen what is better.”
• Paul’s focus (Philippians 3:13–14): “Forgetting what is behind and straining toward what is ahead… I press on toward the goal…” Paul’s single-minded pursuit of Christ-centered purpose shines through.
• Ephesians 5:15–17: “Be very careful, then, how you live—not as unwise but as wise, making the most of every opportunity… Therefore do not be foolish, but understand what the Lord’s will is.”

Biblical wisdom doesn’t just call us to avoid bad things—it calls us to discern the best things. That’s a deeper level of maturity.

From Flurry to Focus: How Do We Discern the Right Things?

So how do we move from a flurry of activity to a focused, aligned life of purpose? Here are a few spiritually grounded steps:

1. Begin with Prayerful Solitude

Jesus began with prayer (Mark 1:35). Before saying “yes” or “no” to anything, we must first be still before God. Solitude is not wasted time—it’s soul alignment. Ask: Lord, what is most important to You in this season of my life?

2. Clarify Your Calling

What has God uniquely called you to do? What burdens has He placed on your heart? Not every need is your assignment. Clarifying your calling allows you to say “no” without guilt and “yes” with joy.

3. Evaluate with Purpose in Mind

Take a regular inventory of your commitments. Ask: Does this align with the mission God has given me? Does this help me love God and love others well? Not every good opportunity deserves a spot on your calendar.

4. Pursue Fruit, Not Frenzy

John 15:5 reminds us that apart from Christ, we can do nothing—but if we remain in Him, we bear much fruit. The goal isn’t just motion—it’s multiplication. Ask yourself: Is this bearing fruit in the lives of others and in my own soul?

5. Learn to Let Go (and Let Others Step Up)

Sometimes we cling to responsibilities simply because we always have. But letting go of good things can create space for someone else to step into their calling—and for us to focus more clearly on ours.

A Final Word

Here’s the truth: Discerning between good and right is one of the deepest disciplines of following Jesus. It requires prayer, wisdom, humility, and often a willingness to disappoint people in order to obey God.

But the reward? A life of purpose. A ministry aligned with the heart of God. A soul that, though perhaps less frantic, is far more fruitful.

So, don’t just ask, Is this a good thing to do? Ask instead, Is this the right thing God is asking of me now?

That question could change everything.

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About the Author

Dr. Bart L. Denny is the lead pastor of Pathway—A Wesleyan Church in Saranac, Michigan. A graduate-school teacher and retired naval officer, Bart is passionate about helping people see the Gospel in every corner of Scripture and every season of life. Read more at Bart's Blog.