Jesus, Be My Life - The Complete "To Do" List

Some things that should be on my “to do” lists in life from Romans 12:9-21.

With God I am to . . .
                                               
love genuinely
hate what is evil
cling to what is good
be devoted to one another in brotherly love
honor one another above myself
have spiritual fervor
be joyful in hope
be patient in affliction
be faithful in prayer
share with God’s people in need
practice hospitality
bless those who persecute me
rejoice with those who rejoice
mourn with those who mourn
live in harmony with one another
not be proud but be willing to associate with people from all walks of life
not be conceited
not repay evil for evil
do what is right
live at peace with everyone
not take revenge
not be overcome with evil
overcome evil with good

Without God I will . . .

love with insincere flattery
partake in evil
be far from good
care only for myself
honor myself above others
be lazy in my spiritual journey
be down hearted
be upset in affliction
lack prayer
be stingy with God’s people
avoid fellowship with other believers
curse those who persecute me
be jealous with those who rejoice
be unconcerned for those who mourn
bring disharmony in my relationships
be prideful

Whew!  This is quite the list.  So much to do and not do!  With all I am to be for the Lord Jesus, it seems that the task of living would be clear, planned, obvious.  Yet, I clutter my days with lists of my own that don’t always include who I am to be.

I’ve got a bucket list of things I’d like to do before God calls me home.  I’ve got the list of things I want in life.  I’ve got the list of regrets and what ifs that consume my thinking at times.  I’ve got genuine lists of desires that are not bad, like, financial security, love, and confidence in who I am in my new phase of life.  I’ve got lists of expectations, chores, and responsibilities.  I’ve got lists of genuine needs.  However, these lists are exhausting!

Being about God’s business does include folding laundry.  But, how many lists do I create or are created for me that take me away from God’s desired purpose?  And how many times am I discontent because my list is not accomplished or fulfilled?  Too many to count.

It’s fruitless to long for what I don’t have and wish for in this life.  My longing must be for God alone. God created spaces within me to need Him.  Yet, I oftentimes don’t want God.  I chase the things I desire in this world.  “Rather than chasing a God who built planets, we chase wind.”  Jennie Allen 

We’re really starving for God because we are hungry, but we feed on what does not satisfy.  Living to apply God’s words to our lives, we find freedom; freedom to live without distractible lists, discontentment, and striving after wishes and the securities of this world.  We must find our significance and pursuits in God alone. The road to freedom will produce fruit in this life, but we must die first.  We must let expectations go! 

In John 12:23-28. Jesus replied, “The hour has come for the Son of Man to be glorified.  I tell you the truth, unless a kernel of wheat falls to the ground and dies, it remains only a single seed.  But if it dies, it produces many seeds.  The man who loves his life will lose it, while the man who hates his life in this world will keep it for eternal life.  Whoever serves me must follow me and where I am, my servant also will be.  My Father will honor the one who serves me.  Now my heart is troubled, and what shall I say?  Father, save me from this hour?  No, it was for this very reason I came to this hour.  Father, glorify your name!”

My list could be so simple.  Father, glorify your name!  Whatever God chose for me then, would be enough.   I know people who have come to this place, but it came by way of suffering.  In the transition from this life to their eternal home, Jesus was all that mattered.  The lists of life were not even forethought.  Their complete focus was Jesus.  In the end, He is all that is needed.  In this life, He is all that is needed. 

About 18 months after my husband died, I took a trip to see my kids in Washington.  The grandbabies were growing up and I took lots of pictures with the camera my husband had bought me my last Christmas with him.  I accidentally left the camera at a restaurant where I took pictures of my granddaughter and me sharing an ice cream sundae.  Those moments were so precious to me!  The next day I realized my error and we called the restaurant.  No camera to be found.  We went back to the restaurant.  Nothing.  I called again.  Nothing.  When I got home to California, I called one last time.  There was no camera.  I had prayed.  Now, I cried and cried.  It was a treasure from my husband.  It was filled with pictures that meant the world to me.  I texted a friend to tell her of my loss and after consoling me, she commented something like, “Isn’t it amazing at how our hearts cling to the things of this world.”  I was shocked that she didn’t revel in my sorrow as I was.  But, her comment jolted me back to what was true.  The camera wasn’t a true treasure.  The physical pictures would eventually fade.  It may sound silly, but I was grieving a loss of significant value to me.  The camera was a piece of the treasure of my family, and it was gone.  So much was already gone!  But, I had to make the choice to die, to die to that earthly treasure and sorrow.  I had to choose to believe what was true.  Jesus was all I needed. 

Colossians 3:1-4, “Since, then, you have been raised with Christ, set your hearts on things above, where Christ is seated at the right hand of God.  Set your minds on things above, not on earthly things.  For you died, and your life is now hidden with Christ in God.  When Christ, who is your life, appears, then you also will appear with him in glory.”  Italics mine.  Oh, for Christ to BE my life!  What I have, would be enough.  If I need it, He would provide.  My list goes out the window and His purpose in me moves to the top of the list.  Actually, it’s the one thing on the list.

I can certainly long for this life, but I’m guaranteed to be disappointed.  Or, I can long for glorifying the Father’s name because Jesus is my life and rest contented each evening.  The choice is mine.

“Every assignment is measured and controlled for my eternal good.  As I accept the given portion other options are canceled.  Decisions become much easier, directions clearer, and hence my heart becomes inexpressibly quieter . . . A quiet heart is content with what God gives.”  Elisabeth Elliot, Keep a Quiet Heart. 

A quiet heart with enlarged space for God’s glory says, “Jesus, be my life!”  My list is complete.