God and My To-Do Listနမူနာ

Question your “need tos”

If you’ve ever seen my Instagram page, you may be aware that I am a box-checking addict. Every year, I craft an aggressive list of physical, spiritual, financial, and relational goals, which turn into a master list of boxes that I try to check. Few things bring me joy like checking another box!

If you’re wired like me, you might need to hear the tough/tender words that Jesus spoke to his organized, driven, box-checking friend Martha. “‘Martha, Martha,’ the Lord answered, ‘you are worried and upset about many things, but few things are needed’” (Luke 10:41,42). While Martha believed that she “needed” to do “many things,” Jesus corrected her. She didn’t need to. She wanted to, but she didn’t need to.

If you find yourself always running, never resting, frequently behind, and constantly saying things like, “I need to/have to/got to,” I would encourage you to invite a mature Christian friend to look at your schedule. Be honest about your plans, your pace, and how much caffeine you need to accomplish your “need tos.” Don’t lie about how little you sleep or how often you get frustrated at people for not working harder.

In love, just like Jesus with Martha, they will remind you that few things are needed in this life. Goals are great, and to-do lists are terrific tools to get things done, but they are not worth losing the peace that Jesus invites you to experience. Question your “need tos,” and remember that you have all you truly need in Jesus.