What Do You Really Have to Do Today?
—Grace & Truth Linkup
What do you really have to do today?
Sometimes we create a long list of “must do’s.” We treat them as nonnegotiables. If they don’t get done, then our world will fall apart.
But then we get an urgent phone call or an unbearable headache or an unexpected visitor, and by the end of the day, we realize that some of those “must do’s” weren’t as important as we thought.
In my quest to schedule each day, I *try* to limit my “have to do” tasks to just a few [here’s my strategy for time management]. But most days, I’m still more off than on with my schedule.
It’s hard to predict at the beginning of the day what will be most important by the end of the day.
That doesn’t mean we shouldn’t still attempt to order our days to be meaningful and to live out our purpose.
But on those days when things don’t go as planned, we can use them to remind us of this: Live with open hands instead of tightly-closed fists, wrapped securely around our self-imposed tasks.
So what do I really have to do today? I feel sure I know. But I’m so easily proven wrong.
It’s a lesson in uncertainty, one I’m forever learning and never graduating from.
Maybe that is important.
Or maybe not.
I don’t yet know.
So for today, I’m trusting God that if there’s something I absolutely must get done, God will let me know and help me do it.
And we’ll start over with a new list again tomorrow.
* * *
In this year of Release, God knows I’m trying to figure out what to let go of and what to hold on to. But maybe God wants me to release even that? Hmm….
What do you really have to do today? Share your thoughts in the comments.
Grace & Truth Featured Post
Susan is trying to release some of her “shoulds.” Many of us carry around a long list of “shoulds,” things we think we must do. But often those shoulds only cause us anxiety and become burdens we aren’t meant to carry.
For our featured post, Susan writes about her journey to break free of shoulds by keeping it simple.
“So, I will continue to keep it simple and share another piece of my healing journey. My story is simple, but aren’t most beautiful things simple?”
Read all of Susan’s post here at her blog, then link up your own blog posts below.
“Breaking free from anxiety by walking away from shoulds”
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I continually struggle to keep my list as a helpful organizing tool–and not a tyrant! Looking forward to reading your post about blogging!
God continues to draw us closer to Him through altering intentional plans, doesn’t He? There are times I fail at completing my “list” out of laziness or procrastination. Or just ’cause I want to do something I think is more fun. 🙂 Asking myself if what I am doing honours God could help keep me on His track! Yes, we can sure get our mind wrapped up in things when God wants us to release all to Him….
I was and am not a person who writes out a daily schedule. It has always felt too confining, but when I was still working full-time a day-timer (back in the day) and later my phone kept me marching through the day’s requirements.
I felt like a schedule confined me as well as God’s opportunities. That doesn’t mean I don’t have a routine or rhythm to my days, but I tend to fill up a calendar if I get sucked into keeping a schedule. Additionally, I saw over and over again that great believers who followed a schedule and were heavily involved in ministry were rarely available to listen to someone who happened in their lives at some part of a day nor did they have time to surprise someone with some food after learning they were in a challenging season. They were so busy “doing” that they couldn’t simply “be” for Him in the moment.
As usual, Lisa, very good post. I know interruptions can get our “to-do’s” derailed (besides my own multiple distractions/attractions)! Ugh! But I like to think of interruptions and God’s Divine interventions or appointments. Then I don’t get resentful, and can see how He might want to do to help someone–even just give the gifts of time and a listening ear. God is sovereign, so these are not mistakes. Anyway, glad you are releasing the necessity of accomplishing every, single item.
I am struggling to release angst over a situation about which you and I have spoken. Just disillusioned.
Love
Lynn
When I first became a church secretary, the mantra around the office was, “We are flexible around here.” All these years later, I do believe flexibility is key. I also believe it’s important to view things in light of priorities. For example, my family’s needs have first priority. But also, I must be willing to set aside things if the Holy Spirit leads me to do something.
I always have way more on my list that could ever get done. It gives me options ?
As a list person, I can so relate to this. I start out every day with my list of things to get done and too often have to move a number of them to the next day. But I’ve learned that for the most part, that’s OK.
These are words that birth freedom to our days and a lightness to our steps. You’re so right, God cares about all these things and will show us what needs to be done … and what can be released into His tender care and keeping.
This goes right along with what God is teaching me about my “shoulds”.
I’m working on time management and reducing the number of things on my have-to-do list. I’m working on being more flexible and not getting stressed when the unexpected happens. Trusting God and starting over tomorrow-great advice!
Stressing about not getting enough done is a major thing I need to release. Keeping in tune with God’s time is always a challenge in our hurried culture, where everything is so urgent. I’ve made it this far, so generally I do get the main things done, somehow!