Then they plotted among themselves, “Let’s choose a leader and go back to Egypt!”

~Numbers 14:4 NLT

Making a list and checking it twice—or three or four times—enhances productivity.

I’m the king of list-making. I’ve been making lists since I was young and never outgrew the practice. Since I have a good memory, jotting down things is probably unnecessary, but I feel more confident when I do. I jot down what I plan to accomplish weekly on my calendar—of which I keep several. I also write down annual events like birthdays and anniversaries. Don’t want to forget those.

My wife follows suit. She makes a list before going to the grocery store, a tally of announcements to put on the screen at church, a record of things for the church calendar, and a log of doctor appointments and other appointments for our aging parents and us.

Occasionally, things that shouldn’t creep into my list. Perhaps not sinful, just unhealthy or unwise. Like grabbing that bag of Krispy Kreme doughnuts. They weren’t on the list . . . at least not the written one.

We can make our plans, but the Lord determines our steps.

~Proverbs 16:9 NLT

God’s people once let something slither onto their list that shouldn’t have. Egypt. They had just left four hundred years of slavery, but the challenges of the wilderness and the dangers of the anticipated Promised Land lured their eyes backward. They didn’t go, but it took forty years of wilderness wandering for God to convince them to strike Egypt from their list.

Jesus says loving Him totally and then others as myself should be the top two things on my list. Family follows. God created it long before He did the church. Healthy and intact families are the foundation for a thriving society. Church comes next. God has given us gifts and talents He wants us to use in and outside of the church to further His Kingdom. That’s why I’m a member of the 5 a.m. writing club. Then come hobbies. I need time for myself. Time to unwind. Time to enjoy something I’m not going to be graded on, tested for, or paid money to do.

If we do all the above and, in that order, it’s doubtful we’ll have time for anything else. But if we do, it should come last.

How does your list stack up against what God says should be on a life list? What things do you need to add or remove?

Father, help me put my life lists in the order that would please You.

Genre: Non-fiction

Copyright 2023: Making a List: Martin Wiles: All Rights Reserved

(photo courtesy of pixabay and geralt)