I love a to-do list.
It helps me remember to do the random things I need to do around the house but only think about when headed out the door for work. And I love the satisfaction of crossing things off the list (I even have a notepad with checkboxes – be still my heart).
But what about a To-Be list?
Who do I want to be as a believer in Christ?
“For this very reason, make every effort to supplement your faith with virtue, and virtue with knowledge, and knowledge with self-control, and self-control with steadfastness, and steadfastness with godliness, and godliness with brotherly affection, and brotherly affection with love. For if these qualities are yours and are increasing, they keep you from being ineffective or unfaithful in the knowledge of our Lord Jesus Christ.” 2 Peter 1:5-8 ESV
Full of the Fruit of the Spirit: love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, self-control (Galatians 5:22-23)
Loving: Love is patient, kind, not envious, not boastful, not proud, not rude, not self-seeking, not easily angered, not a record-keeper of wrongs, not delighting in evil, rejoicing in the truth, protective, trustful, hopeful, perseverant (1 Corinthians 13)
Who do I want to-be in relationships? (with God and with others)
– Be genuine
– Love with brotherly affection
– Serve the Lord
– Show hospitality
– Show love to all people (even enemies)
– Do what is good
– Show honor
– Rejoice
– Be patient
– Pray
– Don’t repay evil
Why? Romans 12:4-5
Who do I want to-be when I feel:
– unseen and unvalued?
– frustrated, angry, or insulted?
– physically and mentally exhausted?
How do I want to-be known? How do I want to-be remembered?
(I already have this one figured out: I will be the lady at church with hard candy in her purse who prays for all the kids)
The two lists are different:
To-do list: things are checked off when they’re done/completed
To-be list: checked in each circumstance; never-ending
And both lists can be overwhelming.
Maybe over time the items on the to-be list become habitual due to repetition and a changed heart. Because who I want to-be is a heart posture (Psalm 37:4). It’s exhausting because it takes of consistent effort. But I’m so thankful that God doesn’t give up on me in my desire to-be reflective of His love and grace.
