The list of what occupies my time is long.
There are “must do’s,” “ought to’s,” and “if I get to’s.”
The time in between is often spent either expanding the list or worrying about what remains to be accomplished.
There is hardly time to examine progress when so much is still to be done.
In this reality, my mind tires, and my body ages, both hardly noticing the other’s neglect.
At times, I give myself a glance that lingers into a stare, noticing where I have traded in self-care for the care of the list.
The list that never ends.
I feel responsible for what I can control and, at times, foolishly for what I cannot. In this tug of doing versus surrendering, the struggle becomes the war.
My opponent? Self, despite whatever and whomever I may try to blame.
I try my best to do my best.
I do my best to be a disciple of Christ.
As a disciple of Christ, I humbly realize that my best efforts are not realized in crossing off action items but in being fully active in faith.
In faith, my obedience to God follows, and I can trust His will.
In this simplicity, I understand that the never-ending list will outlive me, but God’s plans will outlast the world and all its stars.
I am but a flicker ignited by faith, sustained by grace and put into flame by Christ’s love.
In this, I remind myself to focus on that which has eternal value, as eternity has no end.
Such is God’s love for his children.
The love that never ends.
Indeed, the list of what occupies my time is long.
There are “must do’s,” “ought to’s,” and “if I get to’s.”
And yet, everything I do is diminished in value and purpose if I do not intentionally position God’s love at the center of all my actions.
Shifting from a perspective of “to-do” to “today, Lord,” I break free from merely doing and embrace truly living… now and for eternity.
This column was initially published by CherryRoad Media. ©Tiffany Kaye Chartier.