4:212 – Making a List

#faithbites #faithjourney list

Setting

My mind is always racing. I’ve found making to-do lists helpful. The problem I have is for every one thing I cross off my list, I add two or more to it. Do you ever feel like that. This morning, when I woke up, I thought of all the things I have to do: laundry, mow the grass, clean the bathrooms, clean the kitchen, get groceries, and the list goes on. I also thought of the things I want to do: play video games, find new 3D print files to make, play games with the kids, watch some TV.. Those things I want to do, always take a back seat to the things I have to do. What would happen if we changed how we made our lists? What if we had a to-do list with two columns. One for have to and one for get to? Then we make time for all of them. Two things of the have to, then one off the get to.

God was a planner and had his way of doing things. Everything happened for a reason at the right time.

Today’s Questions: What if we became planners like God? How would our lives change if we made complete lists (have to and get to)?

Scripture

• Psalm 33:11 – But the plans of the Lord stand firm forever, the purposes of his heart through all generations.
• Proverbs 19:21 – You can make many plans, but the LORD’s purpose will prevail.
• Galatians 4:4 – But when the right time came, God sent his Son, born of a woman, subject to the law.
• Luke 14:28 – Suppose one of you wants to build a tower. Won’t you first sit down and estimate the cost to see if you have enough money to complete it?
• Proverbs 15:22 – Plans fail for lack of counsel, but with many advisers they succeed.

Reflection

Planning is Biblical! Throughout the Bible, we hear of God’s plans and the plans of humans. Sometimes the plans are for evil, and always God’s plans for good (Jeremiah 29:11). Planning and making a to-do list can be helpful. We see even God had a time and place for doing things. He knew when he was going to do a new thing (Isaiah 43:19) and when it was time for Jesus to come to Earth (Galatians 4:4). If God is a planner, should we be?

When we plan, we have to make sure we aren’t just doing to do. Do we have the resources to succeed (Luke 14:28)? If we don’t, are we setting ourselves up for failure? When we plan, are we making sure to take time for fun and those things we want to do (Ecclesiastes 2:24)?

As we close, remember that planning shouldn’t be seen as a chore. It helps us organize, prepare, and succeed. For me, I will start to have a two-column to-do list and make sure I put in time for fun. How about you?

Prayer

Lord Jesus, thank you for your love and your example as a planner. You knew the right time and place for everything. You have plans for us that are good. Help us to make plans that fulfill your wishes for us, help us grow in you, and balance those things that we have to do vs get to do. Lord, we ask you to help us find ways to make all of our have to do feel like get to do. Finally, we pray that you ease any anxiousness about the future or feelings that we won’t get done what needs to get done. You will give us the strength, power, and energy to accomplish all things. We pray this in your name, Amen.