Listful Thinking

Lists.  They are wonderful and they are horrible.  In one sense, they help the individual determine how many tasks need to get done, and what is the priority of each task.  In another sense, they can distract from reality, and take precedence over flexibility or time with people.

Charles E. Hummel, in his article entitled Tyranny of the Urgent (look it up, read it.), shows the danger of becoming a task-oriented person.  Using the example of Jesus, Hummel acknowledges that Jesus was able to affirm that He had done all of the Father's will at the end of His life.  Some people may scoff at this and ask, "but there were still so many sick people, so many miracles left undone, so many poor and hungry."  Ahh, are not these questions we ask ourselves when determining our tasks for the day?  We look at tasks, and try to figure out in our human mindset what we must get done in order to have accomplished something.  When we do not make it through the list (which we rarely do), we are left with a sense of discouragement and failure.  What if instead, we prayed every morning for the Lord to direct us in our tasks that day.  Give us wisdom and discernment on what needs to get done, what can wait, and what needs to be added that we have been neglecting.  Perhaps at the end of every day in which this prayer is central, we will lay our heads on our pillow, satisfied that we served God in all of the ways He directed that day.  Sure, we may not have accomplished everything on our list, but really, how important are some of those things that we say must get done in light of the eternal perspective of pleasing our Jesus.

Not to babble, but how might this apply to our prayer life?  I often make a list of people I need to intercede for, and then run down that list, satisfied that I have completed my Christian duty for the day.  Richard Foster, in his book, The Celebration of Discipline, argues that one cannot interceded until he himself is in tune with the will of God.  Foster says, "We must hear, know, and obey the will of God before we pray it into the lives of others.  The prayer of guidance constantly precedes and surrounds the prayer of faith."  Foster even encourages that before one intercedes, he should ask God if that specific situation is a prayer task for him.  Wow, what if I asked this question of God before hastily interceding in my grocery list of prayer requests.  Perhaps I should meet with God first before lifting others up before His throne.  It seems so simple, yet I am so prone to just focus on my list and cross of those names.  God, give me grace to sit with you and ask for your guidance before preceding with my lists of the day.