Are you a list person? I use to not be. The older I get, the more lists I make. I have recently become a couponer and my grocery shopping list has become so specific, even my detail oriented husband is worried about me.
I think lists can be a good thing. I know they keep me on track and keep me focused. I know they prevent alot of forgetfulness during hectic days. Like our Friday praise and prayer list, it helps me to keep track of all of the needs that my loved ones have. I have a list for all of things I want to do in my life, places I want to see, things I want to experience. These lists are the ones that give me goals and courage to try new opportunities.
Even though my lists make most of my life more organized and less hectic they can also be a distraction from living. On errand days, I can be so list oriented that I am short with my children that they didn't get the memo that laughing and having a good time are not on the list and take more time then we have to waste. I have even given my husband "the look" when he slyly places something in the grocery cart that shouldn't be there. More often then not whatever thing he picked is usually the thing that makes for a great family night.
Lists make me think about the Pharisees. They were so focused on their rules and their ideas that they couldn't see the gift in Jesus.
Matthew 9:10-13 Then it happened that as Jesus was reclining at the table in the
house, behold, many tax collectors and sinners came and were dining with Jesus
and His disciples. When the Pharisees saw this, they said to His disciples,
"Why is your Teacher eating with the tax collectors and sinners?" But when
Jesus heard this, He said, "It is not those who are healthy who need a physician, but those who are sick. 13"But go and learn what this means: 'I DESIRE COMPASSION, AND NOT SACRIFICE,' for I did not come to call the righteous, but sinners."
Can you imagine what the Pharisees were thinking. "Hold up, wait a minute, my list, this isn't what the King of the Jews was suppose to sound like." They must have felt panicked, maybe they were concerned he was leading people away from their God. It can be difficult to see the truth that is right in front of us when it doesn't come with the definitions we have given it. Sometimes, religion lives in the undefined not in the boxes we have so gently placed it.
Matthew 13:14-15 "In their case the prophecy of Isaiah is being fulfilled,
which says, 'YOU WILL KEEP ON HEARING, BUT WILL NOT UNDERSTAND; YOU WILL KEEP ON SEEING, BUT WILL NOT PERCEIVE; FOR THE HEART OF THIS PEOPLE HAS BECOME DULL, WITH THEIR EARS THEY SCARCELY HEAR, AND THEY HAVE CLOSED THEIR EYES, OTHERWISE THEY WOULD SEE WITH THEIR EYES, HEAR WITH THEIR EARS, AND UNDERSTAND WITH THEIR HEART AND RETURN, AND I WOULD HEAL THEM.'
Please continue to pray for Sue O this week.
1 comment:
Great post. yea, lists = bondage to me! LOL! I am not so much a list person..but for groceries it sure helps saving $$$. Now, grace and peace--all about that!
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