Ever wish you could take a class on how to be an adult?
Sometimes I feel like life would be a lot easier if I had a checklist of everything I needed to do for the day, week, month, and even year.
- Taxes: check.
- Dishes clean: check.
- Laundry: check.
I sometimes feel like that with my relationship with the Lord. I wish God would just tell me everything He has planned and when I need to be where at what time so I could check it off my to-do list.
Day #8524:
- Read Bible
- Pray for the stranger at the gas station who is going through a breakup
- Be at Walmart at 4:00 p.m. to meet your future husband
- Spend time with your grandmother
- Accept job offer at 5:00 p.m.
Wouldn’t it be simpler if we knew the time frame God was working with?
Often it feels like God is holding back from me because He doesn’t give me a list with every detail of everything He wants to do in my life. It feels like He’s not answering me because when I pray about something once I expect Him to immediately answer me with a “yes,” “no,” or “maybe”.
The more I started thinking about how much easier life would be with a checklist from God, the more I started thinking about how I would spend my days if I knew exactly what God wanted me to do.
If we just read His Word, we get the checklist we want.
Rejoice always, pray continually, give thanks in all circumstances; for this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus. 1 Thessalonians 5:16-18
Therefore encourage one another and build each other up, just as in fact you are doing. 1 Thessalonians 5:11
Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus. Philippians 4:6-7
Whatever you do, work at it with all your heart, as working for the Lord, not for human masters. Colossians 3:23
Finally, be strong in the Lord and in his mighty power. Put on the full armor of God, so that you can take your stand against the devil’s schemes. Ephesians 6:10-11
Watch and pray so that you will not fall into temptation. The spirit is willing, but the flesh is weak. Matthew 26:41
Do nothing out of selfish ambition or vain conceit. Rather, in humility value others above yourselves. Philippians 2:3
The Word and Holy Spirit have already provided me with a daily to-do list.
Every Day:
- Be joyful
- Pray continuously
- Be thankful
- Encourage each other
- Serve others
- Love others
- Be patient
- Use the talents He has given you
- Follow the example of Jesus
- Work with diligence
- Pray against temptations
- Be humble
Doing these things allows for God to move in and through us. When I find myself complaining about gas prices, I thank God for the car which transports me to and from work. Dwelling on negativity fills your mind with negative thoughts. Dwelling in Jesus fills us with the fruit of the spirit: love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control.
It might not look like a play-by-play list of exactly what to do next, but it’s close.
One of the best ways to remember God’s checklist for you is to memorize His Word. Multiple times the Lord has put a verse on my heart, and I committed to memorize that scripture that week. Sure enough, there would be multiple times where that scripture came to mind and helped me make decisions in that week. God is a very intentional God. If we ask God to help us practice living like Jesus, He will help us.