When was the last time you felt unmotivated and unproductive? What prompts that feeling in you? Busy schedule, exhaustion, weather, stress... What if I told you there's a way to tap into endless energy?This isn't a commercial for a new "fix-all-your-problems" product. I'm not going to give you an 800 number and tell you all you have to pay for is shipping, of if you order now, you can double your order. Yet I am going to challenge you to look in a mirror and ask yourself:
- How do you create your to-do list?
- How do you get energized?
I'm a list-maker. Someone saw my datebook yesterday and exclaimed, "Look at how organized you are!" I love marking items off my to-do list. What a sense of accomplishment. But years ago, I was convicted. I composed the lists myself. My tasks, my goals, my priorities. I felt like a failure if I didn't complete my list for the day or week. My lists became more important than the tasks. I rationalized the importance of my lists. After all, I had to take care of my husband, home, and two daughters, which can seem like a juggling act some days.
And God said, "What about my list for you?" Hhm. I can rationalize all I'm doing is for God...but is it? Really?
Through that same time, I also relied on myself to generate enough energy to get me through the day. I thought I was pacing myself well, because I'd try to get enough sleep, exercise, and even take relaxing breaks through the day to read to my daughters, enjoy a cup of hot chocolate, or exercise my creativity through quilting or something.
So God worked on me about my lists. Sure, I still create the list, but I give it to him. My time is his time. He's just giving me the hours and minutes to use as he intends. What doesn't get done on my list apparently wasn't on his list for today. I'll let him reprioritize tomorrow.
But the energy? I hadn't been as convicted about my energy source until recently...when I read 1 Colossians 1:29 (NIV): To this end I labor, struggling with all his energy, which so powerfully works in me.
The "to this end" is God's will. His to-do list. His list is the goal, not mine. It's not easy. In fact, the next word is...struggling! I'm glad to know I'm not the only one who struggles! It's the remainder of that phrase that gets me. With all his energy. Hmm. Sure, I know God gives me everything I need. I know he fills me up with fruit of the Spirit: patience, kindness, gentleness, joy, etc. I know that as he fills me up, I must let what he gives me flow out of me; otherwise, I'm filled with rotting fruit. But his energy?
The New Living Translation says the same phrase this way: depending on Christ’s mighty power that works within me. Depending. Do I truly and completely depend on God for energy, power, and guidance?
No. But today is a new day. And I'm feeling energized and ready! How about you?
