Thirty-five
years ago today Robin and I had our first date. We went out for a nice dinner
and then I was to have her at a surprise birthday party at a certain time. My
problem is that I am a planner, and when we finished dinner and still had quite
a bit of time left until the party, I was faced with what to do next. So I
pulled out my little spiral tablet and pretended that I had a whole list of
things prepared which included getting a little bit of gas and making a check
in the book, doing a couple of other things which I can’t remember and making a
check, and making a check, and making a check. I was scrambling for how to
occupy the time until time for the party. Sorry, I know. I once had a friend
tell me that I had to be more spontaneous, and so I purposed to put “planned
spontaneity” on my calendar.
I am more
than a mental checklist person, I am a put it on paper and check it off
checklist person. Maybe this makes me a good event coordinator, or rarely late,
or ….. But it doesn’t make for being terribly relaxed at times. The big part of
growth in all of this is that I don’t become as frustrated when I don’t
complete the list or when I leave something off. I’ve also learned not to use a
list for certain things. Today Sarah writes about the tyranny of the checklist
and the importance of checking everything you do with God staying in constant
contact with Him.
I must tell
you that in spite of my list God had His plans, and that date 35 years ago
today began an incredible relationship with the most wonderful woman in the
world.
Today in
“Jesus Calling” by Sarah Young (5/6)
Do not
search for security in the world you inhabit. You tend to make mental checklists
of things you need to do in order to gain control of your life. If only you
could check everything off your list, you could relax and be at peace. But the
more you work to accomplish that goal, the more things crop up on your list. The
harder you try, the more frustrated you become.
There is a
better way to find security in this life. Instead of scrutinizing your
checklist, focus your attention on My Presence with you. This continual contact
with Me will keep you in My Peace. Moreover, I will help you sort out what is
important and what is not, what needs to be done now and what does not. Fix
your eyes not on what is seen (your circumstances), but what is unseen (My
Presence).
You will
keep him in perfect peace, whose mind is stayed on You, because he trusts in
You. Isaiah 26:3 (NKJV)
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