Think on These Things: Positive thoughts in a negative world…
If I’m totally honest, I love my “to-do” lists. If it weren’t for them and Post-it-Notes, I’m not sure I would remember anything.
Although my “to-do” lists are not quite as organized as the ones you read about, I still manage to get things done. Almost all time management gurus say that when you cross something off your list you should celebrate its completion. This is what I do best. I enjoy this so much that if I do something that’s not on my list, I add it, just so I can mark it off and celebrate.
“To-do” lists are great, but they are just tools to help us remember what needs to be done. Generally, they list things we have to do as opposed to what we want to do. There are many important things that don’t even make the list, like telling a spouse or your child “I love you.” Let’s face it, if you have to put that on a “to-do” list, you don’t really know the meaning of love.
Some have spiritual “to-do” lists. These might include prayer, Bible study, meditation, and so forth. I must admit I used to subscribe to this method of staying on the straight and narrow. I’d even make a little prayer list, which began to sound more like a “to-do” list for what I wanted God to do for me. I was focused more on what God could do for me rather than building a relationship with Him. Although, I do find a Post-it Note with names of people who need my prayers helpful, lest I forget.
As we come to know God we realize His unconditional love for us. After all, while we were yet sinners Jesus died for us (Romans 5:8). We know God as a loving, caring, Father who never abandons, rejects, or hurts us. We realize that prayer is meant to align our will with God’s rather than talking Him into giving us what we want. His will be done, not ours. When we focus on God and align our will to His, our cares and concerns seem to work out—not always the way we would have wanted, but they work out just the same.
While there is nothing wrong with a Christian “to-do” list, I no longer prefer to be quite so regimented in my spiritual life. Approaching my relationship with God as something I have to do takes away my joy. It should be something I want to do. I love the idea of praying without ceasing, rejoicing always, and giving thanks for everything (1 Thessalonians 5:16-18). What a privilege it is to be able to stay in constant communication with the One who gives me the very air I breathe and praise Him for providing it!
With that closing thought, I will write “finish this week’s blog” on my “to-do” list so I can check it off. Thank you, Jesus! Now I can celebrate!
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“Finally, brethren, whatsoever things are true, whatsoever things are honest, whatsoever things are just, whatsoever things are pure, whatsoever things are lovely, whatsoever things are of good report; if there be any virtue, and if there be any praise, think on these things.” ~Philippians 4:8 (KJV)