Doing All Things-Including that To-Do List

The Lord just reminded me of something. I’m studying Philippians 4:10-20. Paraphrasing vv. 10-13, Paul writes that he knows the secret of being content in any situation, whether in plenty or in want: Here’s the secret: “I CAN DO ALL THIS THROUGH HIM WHO GIVES ME STRENGTH.”

This is an important verse in the Bible, and one so many of us turn to when we feel that we just CAN’T anymore. And because Paul was writing to the church at Philippi about money, we naturally think about it in terms of finances. Sure, “plenty” is lots more comforting and fun. It’s easy to be content then. But it becomes equally comforting to be in “want”—because we can get through it, we can manage, we can grow, we’ll be all right… in HIS strength.

Then I turned to my massive to-do list and just stared at it. And then I prayed this (it’s a quote straight from my journal): “Please help me get some of my To-Dos out of the way… what a list! But help me to have your character… I GET to do them, and furthermore, I GET to do them in the power and guidance of the living God. Hello!”

And THEN He tied in my study in Phil. “I have learned the secret of being content” NO MATTER WHAT IS ON MY TO-DO LIST. Whether busy or relaxed, it’s the same as how much money I have or don’t have: “I CAN DO ALL THINGS THROUGH CHRIST WHO STRENGTHENS ME.”