The "To Be" List

Art © Penny Parker, Graphics by Penny Parker

The "To Be" List

When the Holy Spirit controls our lives He will produce this kind of fruit in us: love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control. (Galatians 5:22)

Nearly all of us face our day with the "to-do list." The Scriptures compel us, however, to have a "to-do list."

While it may be important to accomplish certain tasks, engage in certain projects, or have certain encounters during a day, what is more important for eternity is the person we are throughout the day.

From a "to-do" perspective, we tend to come before the Lord and say, "This is my list and this is my schedule. Please be with me, help me, and bless me."

From a "to-be" perspective, we might make these requests of the Lord:

1. Help me reflect Your love today.
2. Help me to display Your joy.
3. Help me to manifest Your peace.
4. Help me to practice Your patience.
5. Help me to express Your kindness.
6. Help me to make known Your goodness.
7. Help me to reveal Your faithfulness.
8. Help me to show Your gentleness.
9. Help me to exhibit Your self-control.

Wishful thinking does not produce these traits, however. They come from a life lived in communication with the Lord. They are the distinguishing marks of His presence in our lives. Our "to-be" list, therefore, must always begin with an invitation to the Holy Spirit to inspire us and impel us toward good works.

In order to express the Lord's kindness, for example, we first must see ourselves as receiving the Lord's kindness. In receiving His kindness, we become much more attuned to opportunities in which we might show His kindness to others. "Being kind" becomes a part of everything we do. The way we do our chores, hold our meetings, run our errands, and engage in our projects displays His kindness to those around us.

When we make our "to-be" list our top priority, the things we have "to-do" become much more obvious-----and far less burdensome!

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