March 4, 2014 - "My Task List"

Yesterday we spoke of our bucket list and I hope you had a minute to think through some things remaining in your journey that you purpose to accomplish before you "kick the bucket." I do want to encourage you though, don't use your busyness as an excuse to start living and enjoying life. I told my pastor recently that I didn't want to be 80 and have regrets - "I want to try some things while I am still running full throttle." It's okay to dream - but it's REALLY okay to START the dream. If going to Austria is on your bucket list, do you have a savings account? Have you started researching tours? Let's move beyond fantasizing and put some unction into that dream. I had to laugh yesterday, as I thought of chocolate covered crickets on someone's bucket list. For me, there would never be ANY unction to that. Today, let's talk about our task list. You know that list that we either create on paper or in our mind of things we need to complete before the day ends. That list that keeps us focused when all the day's activities scream for our attention. Or at my age, that list that reminds me of things and people who need my attention. (senior joke - wink) You know that list, right? I create mine on my IPhone, some use a notebook and some on a calendar hanging on the back of the closet door. That list. So let's think about what a task really is: Task Task may refer to: Task (project management), an activity that needs to be accomplished within a defined period of time or by a deadline Task (computing), a program execution context TASK party, a series of improvisational participatory art-related events organized by artist Oliver Herring Task (language instruction) refers to a certain type of activity used in language instruction The TASK family of potassium ion channels I grabbed these from the dictionary, but am reminded that tasks come in varieties of shapes and forms. However, the common thread that runs through all tasks is usually that they be accomplished and completed within a certain pocket of time. I tell you, when my task list is completed and scratched off (deleted from my phone) I am one happy person. To me, there is a sense of pride that I completed my assignments. I know some people are determined to never live within a task list - but I prefer it. Just me. :) While my daily task list is important, the greatest task of my life that I diligently seek to accomplish is found in the Bible in the book of Acts: Acts 20:24 New International Version (NIV) 24 However, I consider my life worth nothing to me; my only aim is to finish the race and complete the task the Lord Jesus has given me—the task of testifying to the good news of God’s grace. Today, as we work through our task list, let's remember that we have been given an eternal task list by our Lord and Savior and it should be the task that consumes the majority of our focus. As I re-read this again today I was reminded that my life should be centered on telling others the GOOD NEWS. As stated above - I LOVE completing the task list. So the task assigned to me by Jesus should be my top priority. Is it? Does that task find its way to my daily list? How about you? Today as we move through the things on our list, let's add Acts 20:24 to the top and share the Good News everywhere we go. Tonight, we'll check the list with a sense of accomplishment knowing we completed both our earthly and heavenly assignments. Have a great one! PK