My List of Things to Do

This past week as my daughter and I drove to the supermarket, I was dwelling on Galatians 5:13 which says, “For you were called to freedom, brothers. Only do not use your freedom as an opportunity for the flesh, but through love serve one another.” This led me to consider fresh ideas for service, pondering how to better give of myself for His glory. One moment later, I was presented with a unique opportunity to serve another individual.

We pulled into the parking lot, opened the car doors, and were greeted by an elderly woman who inquired if we would like her cart. I quickly and rather kindly responded, “Oh, no thank you! We plan to use a basket today!” Cheerily, I walked to the trunk to retrieve our shopping bags and then stopped dead in my tracks. I thought to myself, “Oh my. That poor woman! She doesn’t want to take that cart back herself! What was I thinking?” I rushed back over, helped her put all the groceries in her car, had a lovely chat, and returned her cart to the store.

Did you catch why I initially declined helping her with her cart? Because I wanted a basket. I didn’t need a cart. I had planned to use a basket that day. I could not see past my own plan to the need of another individual.

Do you ever find yourself making lists of things to do? I love lists. I even use an application on our computer that posts little “stickies” on our desktop. That’s how much I love lists! I find they help me to stay on task. There is just one problem with my list-obsession.

If you’ve ever read the Frog and Toad books by Arnold Lobel, there is one particular story called, The List. Toad loses his list of things to do and is quite upset, but he will not chase after it because it was not on his list of things to do. The story is absolutely hilarious, that is until you see yourself in it! Are we not also like this? We govern and plan our days, leaving little room for how He might want to orchestrate divine appointments for His glory and our good. I was so set on using a basket that I couldn’t see the need right in front of me. Perhaps the illustration seems trite and silly, but I pray these verses do not:

“This is the day that the Lord has made; let us rejoice and be glad in it.” (Psalm 118:24)

*Each detail of every day is within His sovereign care. He makes and orchestrates our days. This means that He both holds and brings interruptions – they are catalysts for His glory and our good, even for our growth!

“As each has received a gift, use it to serve one another, as good stewards of God’s varied grace. Whoever speaks, as one who speaks oracles of God; whoever serves, as one who serves by the strength God supplies—in order that in everything God may be glorified through Jesus Christ.” (1 Peter 4:10-11)

*We serve each other with the strength He gives us, not of our own strength. And our service is to bring glory to Him. Above any list or plan for the day should be our desire to please and glorify Him.

The other day I read a prayer for Christian women by John Piper. He prayed, “My earnest challenge and prayer for you is that you be totally committed to ministry, whatever your specific calling; that you not fritter away your time… that you redeem the time for Christ and His Kingdom.” I was challenged as to how I view “my time”. Now this is not to say that we all don’t need time alone and to ourselves, because I think we do. Being an introvert by nature, if I was around people all the time, I just might combust. But here is my main point:

*We need to be constantly aware and attentive to the needs around us. We need to be dependant on Him and not ourselves to meet those needs. We must remember that our days are His and we are to be obedient to what He places before us. Yet we must also understand this: our obedience is only possible by the strength that He gives us through His Spirit. He feeds His sheep; He feeds the multitudes. Our every ounce of energy and endurance comes from Him.

The challenge is simply this – ask for open eyes and a spirit that is dependent on Him, not on your own strength. And, guard your life from idleness. Be active at putting others before yourselves, serve your families, and do not be selfish with your time and gifts. Our lives are really not our own. Our lists must always leave room for changes.

“For you were called to freedom, brothers. Only do not use your freedom as an opportunity for the flesh, but through love serve one another.” (Galatians 5:13)