My To-do Lists
MY TO DO LIST
To do lists are one of my favorite things. I make lists and it feels so gratifying to check off the things I accomplish on my list. I haven’t decided if making a list helps me accomplish more or if it is procrastination and delaying what I need to do. If I have a major project, I always make a list to make sure I get everything done. Packing for a trip, I must have a list or I forget important things.
My List is Delayed
Monday morning I had my list and was ready to get things done. As I was taking clothes to the washing machine, I knocked over the dog’s water bowl. Water spilled all over the mud room floor. Checking off my list gets delayed because I had to stop and mop the mudroom floor. Just a small portion isn’t enough; I found I needed to mop the entire area. Finally I was able to put the clothes in the wash and check off one thing done.
Once Again
It was time to prepare breakfast next. It was not on my list because it is a daily thing. I opened the refrigerator door and a pint Mason jar with chicken broth fell on the floor. The jar exploded and broth puddled. I guess my floors really needed mopping that morning because once again my list got delayed and I cleaned up glass and mopped my floors in the kitchen.
Rebellious Children
Isaiah 30:1 NKJV, “Woe to the rebellious children, says the Lord, who take counsel, but not of Me, and who devise plans, but not of My Spirit.”
It is often frustrating to make plans and things don’t go the way we thought they might. God calls us rebellious children if we don’t take His counsel and consider what He wants us to add to our to-do lists. We can plan and be so content with ourselves because to us our plans look good, but is God pleased with our plans? In Isaiah, the word devise means weave a web. My web turns into an ugly mess when I plan without God. Paul asked in II Corinthians 1:17b “do I plan according to the flesh?”
Tested By Fire
Proverbs 16:9 NKJV, “A man’s heart plans his way, but the Lord directs His steps.”
Is your list so important that you don’t stop and listen to God directing your path?
Seek Him first. I Corinthians 3:12,13; “Now if anyone builds on this foundation (foundation of Jesus Christ) with gold, silver, precious stones, wood, hay and straw, each one’s work will become clear; for the Day will declare it, because it will be revealed by fire; and the fire will test each one’s work. 14, if anyone’s work which he has built on it endures, he will receive a reward. 15, If anyone’s work is burned, he will suffer loss, but he himself will be saved.”
According to this scripture, our works (plans) will be tested by fire. Our choices and plans affect not only our day, but our eternal rewards in heaven. Standing before Jesus, our works and plans will be tested by fire. Our plans that amount to wood, hay and straw will burn, and we will suffer loss.
Seek His Plans
Jeremiah 29:11 NIV, “I know the plans I have for you, declares the Lord, plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future.”
God’s plans for our life are all good. He is good! Seek His plans and make your list according to what He desires because He plans for us to prosper, have hope and a future. Who can resist that? As I look at the list I prepared, there is nothing in my plan that includes loving my neighbor or reaching out to a friend that needs uplifting. Makes me reflect and consider what God really wanted me to accomplish that day.
Tim Hughes Plans
Paula Wallace
Further Reading:
https://www.treadingwatertiljesuscomes.com/2018/08/14/wait-wait-wait/
