Doing What Matters Most: God’s Eternal To-Do List
- Jack Selcher
- Jun 5, 2024
- 2 min read
Updated: Jan 29
Summary
Daily tasks bring satisfaction, but not all carry eternal value. While responsibilities like work and family care matter, God calls believers to prioritize what lasts forever. True wisdom focuses on loving God and serving others through the works He has prepared in advance. A Christian’s to-do list is defined not by convenience or accomplishment but by obedience to God’s purposes that make an eternal difference.
The Satisfaction of Checking Things Off
I don’t write a to-do list anymore, but I clearly remember the pleasure of crossing out completed items. Doing so reliably produced a glowing feeling of accomplishment. The desire to experience that cross-out glow sometimes influenced me to complete unimportant but easy tasks first.
Earthly Wisdom vs Eternal Wisdom
I have daily mental but not written to-do lists. I am writing this at the beginning of June. Two days ago, I cut the grass and picked and processed broccoli for freezing. I also did work related to the blogs I post. They were all on my mental list.
Experts suggest prioritizing the importance of the items on the to-do list. Then, complete the most important tasks first in order of importance.1 Earthly wisdom is doing what is most important for the long haul. Wisdom from above guides us to do what is best for eternity.
What Truly Makes an Eternal Difference
What I do each day that makes a difference for eternity matters most. I love others best by ministering to them using the writing gift God has given me to supply them with free spiritual growth resources for Christians.
Responsibilities That Still Matter
Not everything I do has eternal significance. Cutting the grass keeps my local government officials happy. I received a warning letter from them when I didn’t cut the grass on the bank that borders a road. That work is in the category of giving “to Caesar what belongs to Caesar.” (Matthew 22:21 NLT).
I told my wife I wouldn’t have a garden if I were the only one to eat its produce. I garden to help feed my family. “But those who won’t care for their relatives, especially those in their own household, have denied the true faith. Such people are worse than unbelievers” (1 Timothy 5:8 NLT).
God's Eternal To-Do List Defined by Love
So, how does a Christian’s to-do list differ from those who don’t profess to follow Jesus? The believer’s list must be saturated and dripping with items that reflect love for God and those in need (Matthew 22:37-39). That’s what Jesus said is most important. That is what makes an eternal difference.
Crossing Off God’s Assigned Work
What matters most is crossing off as accomplished the items on the to-do list God has for us (Ephesians 2:10). That is, doing what is best for eternity. Writing this blog was on my list! I hope it inspires you to complete God’s to-do list today.
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