My New “To Do” List

Are you a “to do” list person?  I am.  I write down on a piece of paper each day things that come to my mind that I know that I need to do.  Then I scratch through the things that I’ve done while adding to the list on the bottom….hopefully soon I can do this on my new iPhone and save the paper..well, I won’t actually write on the screen of the phone but you get my drift…This morning I was strongly impressed by the following “to do” list in Romans chapter 12.  My Bible has this passage under the heading, “Behave Like a Christian”:  ⁹ Let love be without hypocrisy. Abhor what is evil. Cling to what is good. ¹⁰ Be kindly affectionate to one another with brotherly love, in honor giving preference to one another; ¹¹ not lagging in diligence, fervent in spirit, serving the Lord; ¹² rejoicing in hope, patient in tribulation, continuing steadfastly in prayer; ¹³ distributing to the needs of the saints, given to hospitality.  ¹⁴ Bless those who persecute you; bless and do not curse. ¹⁵ Rejoice with those who rejoice, and weep with those who weep. ¹⁶ Be of the same mind toward one another. Do not set your mind on high things, but associate with the humble. Do not be wise in your own opinion.

¹⁷ Repay no one evil for evil. Have regard for good things in the sight of all men. ¹⁸ If it is possible, as much as depends on you, live peaceably with all men.¹⁹ Beloved, do not avenge yourselves, but rather give place to wrath; for it is written, “Vengeance is Mine, I will repay,” says the Lord. ²⁰ Therefore “If your enemy is hungry, feed him; If he is thirsty, give him a drink;  For in so doing you will heap coals of fire on his head.”  ²¹ Do not be overcome by evil, but overcome evil with good.

This has become my new “to do” list.  I am going to print this out on card stock and tape it to my mirror in the bathroom to remind me each morning of this list.  This is such a great list that can be accomplished, with God’s help, despite whatever else needs to be done each day.  This list can apply to all races of people and to people from all economic situations.  This list contains things to do individually, but most importantly it contains things to do in relation to other people.  That’s what being a follower of Jesus is all about…relationships.  It’s a pretty daunting list…one that can’t be accomplished in human strength or will.  We can do this list because of what Jesus Christ has already done for us.  I also think that keeping a list like this requires faith in God, trusting in Him to meet our needs as we meet the needs of others.

So, this is my new “to do” list.  If you’d like a copy of it on card stock let me know and I’ll make one for you and get it to you wherever you are.

Have a great day!