The Importance of A To Do List- Part Five

To Do Lists are good for those of us who are organized.  Lists are a great way to prioritize and keep us on track.  For those anal retentive people like myself, scratching off an item on our list gives us complete fulfillment, but only for a second, because within five minutes, new items have been added or a new list has been made.   

So, how can someone with a To Do List find fulfillment with a never ending list? The key is to be able to cross off two items.  If you can cross two items off your list each day, then everything else will fall into place. I learned this by having a meltdown from being overwhelmed of my To Do List.  I gave up and sought strength from God.  He revealed to me the importance of my To Do List. What are the two most important items on a To Do List?

The answer is found in the scripture.

 One day an expert in religious law stood up to test Jesus by asking him this question: “Teacher, what should I do to inherit eternal life?  Jesus replied, “What does the law of Moses say? How do you read it?”  The man answered, “‘You must love the Lord your God with all your heart, all your soul, all your strength, and all your mind.’ And, ‘Love your neighbor as yourself.’"  “Right!” Jesus told him. “Do this and you will live!” (Luke 10:25-28)

To Do List:

1. Love the Lord your God with all your heart, all your soul, all your strength, and all your mind.

2. Love your neighbor as yourself.

Let me say here, I understand people have responsibilities  that have to be done at work and home.  For that reason, to do lists are positive and very helpful.  It is when we let our To Do List control our lives that it becomes dangerous.  Our lists usually contain things related to the world in which we live, but for Christians, our focus should be on eternal things.  Now, does that mean that we should not do anything on our list that pertain to the world?  No, it just means that our priories should reflect our eternal perspective first and foremost. If we put any task on the list before loving God or loving our neighbor, then our lives will become overwhelming because we have not been obedient to God's commandments.

Now that you know the two most important items to have on your list, the next step is crossing them off.