Checklists. Oh, how I love them! I have one for so many things in my life. Grocery list, to-do-list, honey-do list, lists of projects to finish, prayer list and the several different lists I have just to keep me on task at work! I’m not sure I could function without them. Funny, the older I get them more lists I seem to rely on. How about you? Do you have lists everywhere like me?
These checklists are the tools I use to organize my mind and get things done in my life. Organized. That’s the key word. I’m a very organized person. Structure is a blessing to me, not a curse.
But lately God seems to be showing be something else. First, this new concept was brought to my attention by Lysa TerKurest in Becoming More Than A Good Bible Study Girl and now Francis has brought it up too.
“Most Christians have been taught in church or by their parents to set aside a daily time for prayer and Scripture reading. It’s what we are supposed to do, and so for a long time it’s what I valiantly attempted. When I didn’t, I felt guilty.” There it is again. God is working in my heart to get over the need to spend time with Him so I can “check it off” my list. Maybe this has become such a theme because, like Francis, I too feel really guilty when I fail to do it.
Francis goes on to say, “Over time I realized that when we love God, we naturally run to Him- frequently and zealously. Jesus didn’t command that we have a regular time with Him each day. Rather, He tells us to ‘love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind.’ He called this the ‘first and greatest commandment’. (Matt. 22:37-38) The results are intimate prayer and study of His word. Our motivation changes from guilt to love.”
The Pastor challenged us to set goals for this year. So this is one of mine. I’m going to work towards spending time with my Savior daily, not so I can check it off my list, but to learn and grow closer to Him.
As you think about your goals for 2011 consider posting them here. I’ll have my list up this weekend. Accountability is a wonderful thing.
Have a great New Year!
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