The List Maker

If you're anything like me, you like "to do" lists. I like them to a fault. Some of you feel my pain! Others of you can't stand them... can't work by them... hate them. And there are probably some of you who can work with them or can live without them... either way!

Sunday, I made a statement in my message as we finished up this series that focused on filling the empty space in your heart. This void was not there when God created you. He created you perfectly with your heart full of him. He was in the perfect place in your life... but somewhere along the way, all of us decide that we can do it without God and we sin. Romans 3:23 says that "all sin and fall short of the glory of God." This empty space leaves us lonely and wanting. Most of us try desperately to fill that void with stuff the world says will satisfy - money, material things, work, relationships, family, etc. - but the empty space is still there because only God can fill it. Sometimes, we try to put God back in our lives on top of the "stuff" that occupies that space and hope that he will just fill in the gaps. That doesn't work either!

Jesus can't be at the top of your list... he has to BE your list! He can't be your #1 priority, he has to be your ONLY priority! I received an e-mail yesterday after the message, and I want to share it with you. It is actually a journal entry from the sender of the e-mail:

"I am such a list maker. I love, love, love lists! No, I love making list. Everything never gets completed on my lists, but I love making lists. In fact, sometimes I spend more time making my list than actually completing what’s on my list. So today during church when Nathan said that Jesus should be the list, not just on top of a list of priorities, well it resonated with me. What do you mean, I thought skeptically? No more making lists? Are you telling me I’m not to waste any more time compiling a ridiculously long list of things I’ll never accomplish? What nerve! And what list maker could possibly not make a list? The list maker is an analyzer, a planner, a dreamer. What would a list maker be without their lists? But at the same moment I excused the comment I also embraced it. What a thought! If only I could step aside, relinquish my list, and allow Jesus to conduct my daily affairs…think of what I could accomplish! What if the only thing on my list was Jesus? How would I spend my time? Who would I talk to? What would I do? Where would I go? All right, sounds fun. Jesus, you have made the list. You are a List Maker."

I want Jesus to be my List Maker! I want him to be my Priority! I want him to direct my "doings" today! Dear Jesus, don't let me do anything today that is not directed by you!