To-do List

Rejoice always, pray continually, give thanks in all circumstances; for this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus.

1 Thessalonians 5:16–18

Pause

I’m a list-maker. At the end of my workday, I draw a line through the tasks I completed and then write a new list for the next morning. Sometimes the same items show up day after day. Those are usually the unpleasant chores I’d rather avoid.

The apostle Paul wrote a to-do list for Christ’s followers. He penned three actions we’re to take at all times no matter what circumstances we face—rejoice, pray, and give thanks. His intent is not to say we must do these things. Rather, it’s that we can do these things because it’s God’s will and he’ll help us.

Choosing joy, conversing with God throughout the day, and expressing gratitude show up on a believer’s to-do list every day not because they’re unpleasant chores we’d rather avoid but because they’re good for us. Doing them releases hormones that contribute to our feelings of contentment and pleasure. Because God designed us, he knows what’s best for us and will help us do these things.

Ponder

Add “rejoice always, pray continually, give thanks in all circumstances” to your to-do list.

Pray

Father, thank you for telling me what to do and then helping me do it.