Not Just Another To-Do List
Updated: Sep 1, 2020
Hey guys, Ellie here. Jessica and I are so excited to begin this new ministry! Like we've said before, God has put on our heart to help young women break free from lies, limits, and labels that plague our society today. Yet, in the midst of the excitement in starting up, I seem to have forgotten one really important thing. We can't/shouldn't do this on our own.
I am a pretty driven person. I like to get things done and feel accomplished when I can check them off my to-do list. Anyone else? That little check mark by a task just makes me smirk on the inside. This works with most things, and isn't inherently bad, yet, this can be a dangerous method in terms of our relationship with God.
God desires so much more than an aloof to-do list from us. He is not a far-off manager taking down our hours and observing our every mistake with distaste. He is ever-present and desires us to come to Him with all our plans.
Psalms 127:1-2 Unless the Lord builds a house, its builders labor over it in vain; unless the Lord watches over a city, the watchman stays alert in vain. In vain you get up early and stay up late, working hard to have enough food -- yes, he gives sleep to the one he loves
Without surrendering our plans to Christ, our efforts to achieve (even for good) will bring anxiety and fear of not measuring up. We can only go so far on our own strength. This to-do list habit with God is exhausting and quite unfulfilling. Striving for approval of man disguised by good intentions is far from what fullness of life looks like.
So, what do we do?
Stop what you are doing.
Recognize who/what we are putting faith in at the moment.
Surrender our plans to God through prayer.
Ask God to lead us each step.
Repeat.
Number 5 is super important! I too quickly forget that this has to be a continual practice for me. Yet, God is so gracious in meeting me every time.
What are you not surrendering? (Money? School? Sports? Family? Future?)