Check THAT Off Your List

Lists. For my fellow list-makers out there, how do we get it all done without those little sticky notes and the magnetic notepad on the fridge--just waiting for things to be written down and accomplished in a day or a week. I tried memory for a while, and found that I floated from one project to another without getting much of anything done. Or, I could easily become legalistic about "my list," and not get the most important things done because of trying to get stuff checked off for the day. I could easily tend to feel good about getting my list all done by the end of the day, or feeling lousy if it's not all checked off. 

 

So here's another lesson on balance and self-worth: God must bring the balance, and I must take self out of it. I'm not more loved if my day is super productive. I'm not a failure if I wasted more time than I should have. Worth and value do not come from things accomplished, but from the love of Jesus that resonates in our lives as the driving force of who we are and what we do. It's really not about us. It is about how we choose to use this time we've been given. It is all about Jesus, and what He can do in and through us. 

 

Someone in your life today may need to be told they are loved, simply for who they are and not what they do. Children need this so they don't feel like only grades or sports or activities give them value. Adults need this because we often place value on strengths, talents, and what we have or get accomplished. 

 

You are God's prized possession. Out of all creation, you are His masterpiece. Just read Ephesians 2:10, or better yet, verses 1-10, to see for yourself how you are made alive in Christ. In Him, you are a new creation. The old is gone, the new has come. He couldn't possibly love you any more (or less) depending on how your day is...He IS love! And He loves you completely now and perfectly always because He created you and sees what you can and will be when He is your center. Have a great day, productive in the love of Christ that overflows from a heart that is rooted and grounded in Him!

 

"We can make our own plans, but the Lord gives the right answer. People may be pure in their own eyes, but the Lord examines their motives. Commit your actions to the Lord, and your plans will succeed." (Proverbs 16:1-3, NLT)

"You can make many plans, but the Lord’s purpose will prevail." (Proverbs 19:21, NLT)

"God saved you by his grace when you believed. And you can’t take credit for this; it is a gift from God. Salvation is not a reward for the good things we have done, so none of us can boast about it. For we are God’s masterpiece. He has created us anew in Christ Jesus, so we can do the good things he planned for us long ago." (Ephesians 2:8-10, NLT)