What’s on Your List?
By Justin March

“And he said to his disciples, ‘Therefore I tell you, do not be anxious about your life, what you
eat, nor about your body, what you will put on.  For life is more than
food, and the body more than clothing.  Consider the ravens: they neither
sow nor reap, they have neither storehouse nor barn, and yet God feeds
them.  Of how much more value are you than the birds!  And which of
you by being anxious can add a single hour to his span of life?  If then
you are not able to do as small a thing as that, why are you anxious about the
rest?” – Luke 12:22-34

Boy do I make a lot of lists!  I have a list for work of all the tasks I
want to accomplish for the week.  I have a list for home of all the chores
I need to get done.  I have a list of all the vinyl albums I possess so I
don’t duplicate a purchase when flipping through the used sections at the music
store.  I have a list of all the books people have recommended I should
read.  I have a list of all my accounts and passwords as it would be
impossible for me to remember them all.  And I have a list for this, a
list for that, and a list for everything in-between.  I have more lists
than time, and sometimes when I stare at all the things I would like to
accomplish, these lists become daunting and weigh me down.

So, why do I allow these lists to take over my life?  Well, I guess I deem
the tasks within them are important.  They help me remember what is
important in life, and they help remind me to get things done.  They keep
me from wasting time, they allow me to stay on track, and when something is
crossed off the list, I feel fulfilled and satisfied.  Yet, these lists
can also be a burden as they never seem to get completed.  And when tasks
remain undone, I can often feel unworthy with the stress of knowing that I am
failing and drowning in the pressures of everything I am not getting
accomplished.

As I think about all the lists that encompass my short life, there is one that
is missing.  If my lists help remind me what is important in this life,
then where is my list of the deeds God wants me to fulfill?  Why do I not
have a list that helps me remember to take care of His mission for my
life?  And if I had a list like this, wouldn’t the satisfaction be much greater
when I knew I had accomplished something from this precious guide for my life?

Maybe I should try this for the week?  Maybe I should make it a priority
to take care of this list, above all others, so that I am fulfilling the
promises I made to my Savior?  I think that is a good idea, and here is a
new list I now have in front of me.

1.  Pray multiple times a day.  Pray for a loved one, a stranger, the world, and our
leaders.

2.  Be thankful for what I have.  Let God know how much I appreciate all His gifts and
workings in my life.

3.  Tell someone I love them.  Make it a point to reach out to them, listen to them, and
embrace them unconditionally.

4.  Get outside and enjoy God’s beauty.  Keep my eyes open to what He is trying to show me
through His wondrous creation.

5.  Smile. The world is dark and angry.  Make sure my smile brings light so it may
shine upon others.

6.  Be
generous.  Volunteer at a non-profit organization or make a donation to
those organizations helping the less fortunate.

7.  Kiss the dogs.  In a world of judgement and ridicule, these creatures do nothing
more than show gratitude and devotion.

8.  Spend a few moments in silence.  God has so much to say, but if I never slow down, I
am unable hear those beautiful messages.

Wow!  It felt good to make that list!  It gives me inspiration, hope,
and purpose.  It reminds me to be humble, thankful, and gracious.
And it brings a satisfaction that only God can provide as He uses me to be a
blessing in a world that hungers for His love.  I will always have my
other lists, with chores to tackle and goals to accomplish, but this list seems
so much more important.  It is a list that gives my life meaning, a list
that helps me share my gifts, and a list that may actually bring a lost soul to
the foot of the cross.  It is a list full on intention, and a list I must
focus on so I am fulfilling my promises to the one who saved a wretch like me.

What do you need to do to make sure you are fulfilling your calling?  Is
God putting something on your heart that you need to add to your list?  I
pray you find time this week to focus on what He is asking you to do.  And
when the week ends, and you are able to take time and think about the things
you got done, I pray there is a comfort in knowing that some of the tasks
accomplished brought a light into this world, spread love amongst God’s people,
and ignited hope into the lost and lonely.  God has His list for you, but
the question is this, what do you need to do to make sure it gets completed?