The To Do List Treadmill
I used to be a treadmill runner. When I went for a run, I went to the little fitness center in my apartment complex and got on the treadmill for 30+ minutes. It worked. I could watch tv while I did it, so I was multitasking. But I never really went anywhere. Then I started running outside - where there are real things to see, where I can tell how far I am going based on the things that I pass instead of numbers on a screen. And I'll be honest, I have a hard time running on a treadmill now. It's a lot prettier outside.
A lot of us are spending our lives running on treadmills. I know because I spend a lot of time on what I am going to call the "To do list treadmill." I said to someone recently that I am on one of those people movers at the airport, but I'm going the wrong way, and someone keeps speeding it up, so I keep running faster and faster, but all I do is lose ground. Do you feel that way? Do you feel like for each thing you cross off your to do list, you add 5 more things? Are you on the to do list treadmill?
As I was thinking about this tonight, I realized that God hasn't called me to a to do list. I am not called to spend my life running on a treadmill. Oh sure, the to do list is things that need accomplished. But when I am so focused on my to do list, I miss all the beautiful moments God has called me to because my focus is in the wrong place. God has called us to spend our lives running and experience life with him. There will be detours and unexpected turns. We probably won't end up where we think we want to. And that's scary. Because the reality of the to do list treadmill is that it's safe. We know what to expect. But it's also exhausting. And the beauty of running with God is that he promises us that we can do it. I am reminded of these verses in Isaiah...
"They will run and not grow weary." That's a promise to hold on to. So for all of us who are running on the to do list treadmill, let's stop focusing on the mythical end of our lists and instead focus on the God who will lead us where we need to go if we just step off the treadmill and follow. I can only imagine what amazing and beautiful things God has in store.
A lot of us are spending our lives running on treadmills. I know because I spend a lot of time on what I am going to call the "To do list treadmill." I said to someone recently that I am on one of those people movers at the airport, but I'm going the wrong way, and someone keeps speeding it up, so I keep running faster and faster, but all I do is lose ground. Do you feel that way? Do you feel like for each thing you cross off your to do list, you add 5 more things? Are you on the to do list treadmill?
As I was thinking about this tonight, I realized that God hasn't called me to a to do list. I am not called to spend my life running on a treadmill. Oh sure, the to do list is things that need accomplished. But when I am so focused on my to do list, I miss all the beautiful moments God has called me to because my focus is in the wrong place. God has called us to spend our lives running and experience life with him. There will be detours and unexpected turns. We probably won't end up where we think we want to. And that's scary. Because the reality of the to do list treadmill is that it's safe. We know what to expect. But it's also exhausting. And the beauty of running with God is that he promises us that we can do it. I am reminded of these verses in Isaiah...
Do you not know? Have you not heard? The Lord is the everlasting God, the creator of the ends of the earth. He will not grow tired or weary, and his understanding no one can fathom. He gives strength to the weary and increases the power of the weak. Even youths will grow tired and weary and young men stumble and fall; but those who hope in the Lord will renew their strength. They will soar on wings like eagles; they will run and not grow weary, they will walk and not be faint (Isaiah 40: 28-31)
"They will run and not grow weary." That's a promise to hold on to. So for all of us who are running on the to do list treadmill, let's stop focusing on the mythical end of our lists and instead focus on the God who will lead us where we need to go if we just step off the treadmill and follow. I can only imagine what amazing and beautiful things God has in store.
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