“Life is not one big to-do list,” according to a Dove Promises chocolate wrapper I saw recently. It hit a nerve with me.

I’m driven by to-do lists and my schedule, being a type-A personality. There’s a to-do list on my desk every day. There’s already a to-do list for the house I move into on Oct. 15. I even have a bucket list of things to do or accomplish before I die.

On a daily level, I rationalize that I’m more productive when my days are laid out in front of me. I don’t spin my wheels thinking about what to do next. That’s reasonable, right?

Quenching the Spirit
It’s been pointed out to me, however, that this approach to life leaves no room for the Holy Spirit to move. We have no time for God-ordained interruptions, for spontaneity, for relaxing — all of which bring fullness to our life.

Not-to-Do List
Yesterday, a radio DJ suggested creating a not-to-do list. The idea is to stop doing things that pull us away from God, are unhealthy, or may be an ill-use of the resources God has entrusted to us.

Interesting. What would I put on such a list?

I don’t watch television or play video games. I don’t spend hours on Facebook. I don’t spend money freely.

Turns out, creating a not-to-do list is much harder than a to-do list. Everything I do seems important and not possible to give up. Bible study, exercise, work, time with friends, riding Ernie. What would I give up? Why is it so hard to see our shortcomings sometimes?

Perhaps the first thing for me to give up is my to-do list. Ironic, isn’t it, that I would have to create a list to stop creating lists?

Other things I could put on a not-to-do list: talking negatively about others, believing my emotions when they don’t line up with God’s truth, condemning myself for my mistakes. Ah, now we’re getting somewhere. That list could go on and on.

What would you put on a not-to-do list?

Related posts:

Unscheduling
Unscheduling-Part 2