A priority list often helps me do the first things first.
The problem is deciding what should be first. I’ve a file that helps. It has a
graphic-numbering system where the first item is compared to the second one and
the most important one is circled. Then that first item is compared to the
third, fourth, fifth and so one. When all items are compared with each other,
the circled numbers are counted and the items that are the most important will
have the high scores. It works as long as “I don’t feel like it” does not start
messing with my good intentions.
Habit-forming gurus offer many suggestions. Most of them
say to start small and set a deadline. I’ve tried both but procrastination
still sets in. Some tasks are easy and some are not. I’ve a spiritual battle
with praying, which is a strong priority but easy to replace with something
else that does not matter as much but is easier.
However, in reading some web-sites about habits and by
reading these verses, God gives me another insight: I sometimes expect too much
from myself and need to simplify. The psalmist says:
“I will extol you, my God and King, and bless your name forever and ever. Every day I will bless you and praise your name forever and ever.” (Psalm 145:1–2)
He had a good habit of praising God every day. That habit became
such a great part of his life that he knew he would bless God forever and ever.
As I read that, I thought of my long prayer list and
wondered which parts of it would be ‘forever’ prayers. Some are ‘give us this
day our daily bread’ prayers. Some are about incidentals like forgiving those
who sin against us, which usually does not happen daily but will not be eternal
either.
The disciples asked Jesus to teach them how to pray. His familiar
response, beginning with, “Our Father who
art in heaven . . .” are often followed as a prayer in themselves, but He
was giving them more an outline. Each part has significance. When I say ‘Thy will be done on earth as it is in
heaven’ I could be thinking about messy political situations, someone’s
illness, a person lost in sin, and any number of things that need His hand.
As I write this, I think of KISS — keep it simple stupid.
God (and my husband) do not approve of me calling myself stupid so in this
case, that second S could stand for sidetracked
or scattered. I’m also remembering
the good advice from Elizabeth Elliot when asked about how she scheduled her
time. She said, “I just do the next
thing. I always know what it is.”
Knowing the next thing, strange as it may sound, goes with
daily praising God. When I slow down to do that, He gives me an understanding
of His will for me in all matters of ‘what do I do next?’ It can be the most
difficult task on the list, not always but usually. When that tough one is
done, the rest seem quick and easy.
This devotional sounds like I’m giving myself a lecture.
Maybe, but I’m also hearing the Lord’s soft voice bringing good ideas into an
often and woefully scattered mind. I need to simply let myself slow down and
praise Him, each day and let that turn
into forever and ever.
^^^^^^^^^^^^
Jesus, thank You for all that You give me, rebukes
included. My heart has been stressed — literally and emotionally. This A-fib
makes me tired and being tired makes my list seem much longer. You are showing
me that I only need to focus on those things that belong to ‘forever and ever’
and let go of most of the rest.
