Scripture: Psalm 118:24
This is the day that the Lord has made; let us rejoice and be glad in it.
Thought for the Day: Yesterday saw my to-do list remain the same length all day. It was a crazy day in which meetings went much longer than I expected. From an early morning conversation to the last phone call a little after 8:00pm, everything took twice – if not three times – longer. I had a Skype call early that went longer than I ever imagined. Paula and I had a time of prayer with someone and it went longer than I expected. I had lunch with someone, and it went longer than the time I had put on my calendar. I spoke to a potential visitor on the phone for almost an hour…and of course, that wasn’t on my to-do list at all. At a break between some calls last night, I looked at the to-do list and shook my head. Not one item could be scratched off. As disappointment came over me, the above words of scripture came to mind. I said out loud, “This has been the day that the Lord has made, and I need to rejoice and be glad in it….because…” And at that point, I went through my day but with a different attitude. I had the privilege of engaging in conversation with some amazingly insightful people through the technology of video conferencing. I had the joy of sitting and talking with a couple of our members, praying with them, and feeling the grace of God. I was blessed to have lunch with an incredible human being whose thoughts and convictions around faith are full of passion and hope. I was humbled by a conversation with someone who plans to visit our church for the first time this coming week, and she sounded so excited to be with us. I felt enriched through the six different phone conversations I had during the evening.
While I think it is good to be organized, I must always remember that just because I created a to-do list doesn’t necessary mean that it was God’s to-do list for me. After breathing in a little of God’s spirit, I was able to say with conviction, “This has truly been another day that the Lord has made, and I need to rejoice and be glad!”
Prayer: Thanks for all the reminders you give me, Lord God, and for the ways you invite me into the moment where what appears to be a surprise is actually the opportunity for real Christ-like living. With that said, could I ask for a little help on getting through the to-do list…please? Amen.
