All These Things

I’m spent.  I’m at the end of a long day, which followed a series of long days.  I’m looking back on my day today and reviewing my to do list and I’m realizing that I didn’t get to all of the things.  There are things left unchecked. (I now remember why I don’t like to do lists.  I’d rather write a song about to do lists than have an actual list)

The day started off with a successful check mark.  For you see we have a garbage pail in the laundry room that has been overflowing for a while.  Both Kristie and I have neglected emptying the pail (obviously) and it has since turned in to a bit of a game.  It turned in to an understanding that whomever puts something in the pail that either falls out on to the floor OR causes something else to fall out on to the floor, that person has to empty the garbage.

I lost.

I emptied the garbage pail this morning.  So I made sure to add that to my to do list for the day and thus started my day with a successful ‘check’ off of the list.

I was reading Matthew Chapter 6 today.  In this chapter, Jesus is telling his audience not to worry about the things other people worry about.  He’s saying that pagans worry about status, recognition, wealth, security and such.  But followers of Jesus shouldn’t worry about those things…

So do not worry, saying, 'What shall we eat?' or 'What shall we drink?' or 'What shall we wear?' For the pagans run after all these things, and your heavenly Father knows that you need them. But seek first his kingdom and his righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well. (Matthew 6:31-33)

So here I am at the end of the day.  I can look back and see that I was somewhat successful at accomplishing the things I set out to accomplish today.  I did OK at checking things off of the list.  But my thought as I read Matthew 6 is this:  How successful was I at seeking after the things I’m supposed to seek after?  How much of my day today was spent seeking after status, recognition, security, comfort etc. versus simply seeking after God and trusting him to supply all the things I need? 

Matthew chapter 6 is a bit of a gut check for all of us.  What are we striving for each day?  May we all recognize that God is enough, and that we should strive after Him and His righteousness.  Not strive after Him in addition to all these other things, but simply seeking each day to please Him and trusting that He’ll provide us with what we need.

Comments

[Pat]

Yes,a list is a task that may be unpleasnt. You will find your joy from within without mention. You will not be forgotten or unnoticed. proverbs 27:19 As water reflects a face, a man's heart reflects a man.

[Mr D]

I'm sorry you lost the game. I was rooting for you. Maybe next time.

[Mr D]

I can't wait to hear the song.

"The To Do List Blues"

[Nils]

As long as you didn't have to trudge through "garbage water", then everything is okay.

[Kristie]

Victory is mine!!!

[Nancy]

John and I have had that garbage can war before. Our problem is that our garbage is kept under the sink so it can only get so high before you have to stop. I, too, have been making "to do" lists lately and after reading your blog I feel like I need to put "devotions" on my to do list. I can get so focused on completing the list that it can be 11 P.M. and I still haven't had devotions. While I'm a night person I hate to leave my time with God until the very end of the day.