Checklists Create Busyness

Having goals means having a checklist. If not on paper, at least mentally. This is true for most of us, even if we don’t know it. Do you start each day with a list of priorities that you want or NEED to accomplish. These lists can provide direction, but also produce busyness and create pressure. 

I have a list of things to do every day, even on Sunday, which should be a day of rest. For me, these checklists created a lot of pressure, making me crabby, just ask Lizzy. 

Our busyness expands to fill the amount of time we have available.

I thought this would change after I retired, since I would have so much extra time on my hands. It happened. I sat around relaxing. . . for about a week. I had often heard retired people say that they are more busy now than when they were working. Yes, there is a lot of truth to this statement. I have found that our busyness expands to fill the amount of time we have available. So, if you are blessed with a free half day, your mind goes to work filling it with all of the things you want or need to get done. This is how we are wired.

Is Everyone Busy?

This is not just true for retired people. No one is off the hook. Young mothers have checklists, and the checklist grows with the number of kids. Number one on their list is keeping the kids alive. If you have grandkids, you have a checklist. Also, if you are a student, you have a checklist. Medical condition. . . checklist. If you have a job, you have a checklist for your working hours, and one for after work. And, don’t get me started about weekends. There is the grass around the house, catching up on housework, repairing the car, the boat, bike riding around the park, playing basketball, watching basketball, walking the dog. . . Wow, I’m getting tired just thinking about it. 

Thorns

In Mark, chapter four, Jesus is teaching by the lake and he gives The Parable of the Sower. Interestingly, in this parable, the “thorns” represent our busyness. We can make sure the cares of this life don’t choke out God’s purpose for us by examining our checklists. Take a look at your list. Did God make your top five? Did you pray or look into God’s word to find direction for your day? Were your neighbors on your list? Did you do something to spread the love of Jesus? Did you nurture some children? Or, is your list just filled with things important to you?

As Christ followers, we must make Jesus a priority. He has to make our top five. Until we do this, we will be always searching, but never satisfied. You see God made us with a void inside that can only be filled with him. We will never be complete without him. Nothing else will work, none of our busyness. Until God is in your top five, you will not be satisfied. You will not be happy. 

“A farmer went out to sow his seed. . . an some seed fell among thorns, which grew up and choked the plants, so that they did not bear fruit.”

Mark 4:19 

Copyright © 2023 Chuck Locklear

Also, see Looking for Peace.