This past year, I have been especially frustrated with my to do list, which seems to continuously grow even though I am continuously working on making it shorter. I am guessing you have felt that way sometimes too. I have thought through the summer for a plan of how to accomplish things in a better way. What I have found is that I need to let some things go. There is a time for each thing, and sometimes that time is in a different season. I have learned to let some tasks wait, knowing each task will be completed in its own season.

I was reminded of Solomon’s words in Ecclesiastes 3:1-8.

“For everything there is a season, and a time for every matter under heaven: a time to be born, and a time to die; a time to plant, and a time to pluck up what is planted; a time to kill, and a time to heal; a time to break down, and a time to build up; a time to weep, and a time to laugh; a time to mourn, and a time to dance; a time to cast away stones, and a time to gather stones together; a time to embrace, and a time to refrain from embracing; a time to seek, and a time to lose; a time to keep, and a time to cast away; a time to tear, and a time to sew; a time to keep silence, and a time to speak; a time to love, and a time to hate; a time for war, and a time for peace.”

My to do list was making me feel overwhelmed and trapped, constantly doing things. Some of the things on my list were repetitive each week. The same tasks week after week, which often kept me from taking on new projects. By the time those needed tasks like laundry, shopping, cooking, cleaning, and litterboxes were complete, I had little time to work on current projects, let alone new. This was where God reminded me that there is a season for everything, to put things in their right season instead of all in the same season, and to “be still.”

I think I was in such a mode of checking off my to do list, I was forgetting to be still and allow God to refill and renew me with His strength to complete the very tasks He had called me to do. I was forgetting to ask Him to show me what needed to be done in a day. I was forgetting to give myself grace when what I had planned for the day wasn’t completed. I was forgetting to remember that God plans my day and what I accomplish, and I needed to allow Him to guide my steps. I was reminded of God’s words in Psalm 46:10-11.

“Be still, and know that I am God. I will be exalted among the nations, I will be exalted in the earth!” The Lord of hosts is with us; the God of Jacob is our fortress.”

I need to be still. No, my to do list isn’t any smaller. In fact, it continues to grow. I have come to the place where I am okay with that. I accomplish what God purposes for me to do in a day and begin fresh the next day, knowing He will guide me.

In what ways are you feeling overwhelmed with all you are responsible for?

How is God asking you to “be still”?

Daily stillness grants God’s guidance in your daily walk.

In His Love,

Susan