I’ve always “admired” minister friends who carry “reverend” books in their pockets or under their arms (The larger, carry-under-the-arm versions are for really important “reverends”). Some have plain plastic covers. Others have fancy, even hand-tooled leather covers. These more elaborate versions often have cute little alphabet tabs inside and a 5 year calendar. These books never seemed to fit comfortably in the hip pocket of my jeans. Most of the guys carry theirs in their suit jacket pocket…well, now you’re beginning to understand my problem!

In my shirt pocket, there is always a list peeking out from behind newspaper clippings and my favorite brown pen. My list begins in my computer. However, as soon as the list is printed out, I think of things to add, so the hand-written (scrawly) part of my list is often longer than the printed (neat) part of my list. I’d be lost without it. One interesting observation: Often, just the act of putting something on my list insures that it will get done without even referring to the list again.

In my “list” folder on my hard drive there are lists with different names. One list labeled “Trip” contains those things I don’t want to forget each time I leave town and hit the road. Another list contains those things I must take when I head for the hills on a writing expedition. Still another list keeps track of ideas and topics which I want to further develop for teaching or for inclusion in one of my books. When I started writing for this Web page, I started a new list called “Moccodies”. One list shouts, “NOW”! So, even though I don’t have a fancy, shmancy leather “reverend” book, I do try to keep my “to do” things a bit organized.

I once read an anecdote about a preacher from many years ago. Someone asked him what he would change in his day-to-day schedule if he knew for sure that Jesus would return within 24 hours. He replied that he believed his life was as much in harmony with God’s plan as he could possibly cause it to be. Therefore, he would change nothing at all, even that which might seem trivial or insignificant to the casual observer.

This view makes a lot of sense to me. If we’re doing or planning to do things that aren’t in line with His priorities in the day-to-day lives we lead, then we should adjust our list…not because of the pressure of His imminent return, but because we wholeheartedly desire to align our schedules, plans, hopes and dreams with His master plan for us each day as much as possible. James writes, “Now listen, you who say, ‘Today or tomorrow we will go to this or that city, spend a year there, carry on business and make money.’ Why, you do not even know what will happen tomorrow. What is your life? You are a mist that appears for a little while and then vanishes. Instead, you ought to say, ‘If it is the Lord’s will, we will live and do this or that.'” (James 4:13-15)

I’m quite sure that on the day the Lord returns or calls me Home, someone will find my list. There will be a lot of things unfinished on my list. Quite frankly, I don’t know if someone else will think any of the unfinished items are worth completing. Some of the entries on my lists are peculiar and important only to me. My desire is that those things which I needed to do – on that list and all previous lists – will be finished. My realization is that there will be things on my last list that will be undone.

What are the Life Lessons in all this for me?

• Whether in a fancy package or on the back of a used envelope, lists are important.
• Leather and embossed vinyl may impress, but content is far more important.
• Lists should be practical, realistic, and specific. “Bringing about world peace” is in the same category as praying in general “for all the missionaries in the world.”
• Putting something on a list is not the same as doing it! Follow-through is a must!
• All our lists should be made with this one thing in mind: What does He want on our list?

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