A To-Do List

Read: Galatians 5:16-26

The fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, longsuffering, kindness, goodness, faithfulness. --- Galatians 5:22

The Bible In One Year:
Luke 7-12
Proverbs 23:29-35

What's on your to-do list today? Cleaning out an overstuffed closet? Calculating a financial report at work? Paying your monthly bills?

We all have things we need to get done today, whether we've written them down or not. They're important for us to accomplish.

While a to-do list is helpful, another type of list is even more valuable: a "to be" list. Albert Einstein said, "Try not to become a man of success but rather to become a man of value."

The apostle Paul encouraged the Galatian believers, and now tells us, to be concerned with our character. He said that if we're controlled by the Holy Spirit, God will produce in us the characteristics of "love, joy, peace, longsuffering, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, self-control" [5:22-23].

As you look at those character traits, which are your needing most in your life? More patience with a co-worker or a child? A little more gentleness and kindness toward a neighbor? As you draw near to God, He will enable you to be the person He wants you to be.

Perhaps at the top of your to-do list today you could put: Spend time praying and reading God's Word. That would be a good start in helping with you "to be" list. --- Anne Cetas

The hidden person of the heart
Must take priority
Because our inner character
Determines who we'll be. --- Sper

IT'S NOT WHAT YOU DO BUT WHO YOU ARE THAT'S MOST IMPORTANT.