To-do list
by Darren Pope
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‘The kingdom of heaven is like treasure hidden in a field’ (Matthew 13:44a).
Okay, my holiday starts now. Time to stop, relax and unwind … Hmm, there’s that dripping tap, bathroom mould, dirty windows, dead flower beds, leaning fence, blown light globe, cluttered wardrobe and squeaky door. My to-do list just keeps getting longer. Not fair! Just when I get time to stop, I feel like I need to go, right now, to get all those nagging little jobs done because I never have the time otherwise. Oh well, I’d better get busy!
There’s a lot of doing in the stories that Jesus uses. They’re action-packed and all very practical – with planting, kneading, finding, hiding, looking, fishing, sorting, chucking away and keeping. We can easily get sucked into the idea that we need to be doing – and doing more and doing it quickly.
Hang on, stop! Do we really need to rush around, being busy doing busy stuff? Let’s slow down for a bit and look deeper here. The smallest, most subtle aspect of these dynamic parables keeps poking and prodding us to lift our eyes and look at what the kingdom of heaven is like. What do you see? Is it all fluffy clouds and angels strumming musical harps? The practical, grounded action of God’s unending and unconditional love flashes like LED parable signage, loudly but gently declaring that it is all his work. It is always his work.
His work is gritty, earthy and earthly. It doesn’t matter how much of a busy frenzy we get ourselves into, God has already done what matters. God’s shady tree, bountiful bread, precious pearls, fabulous fish and trove of treasures are free. Our God is checking his to-do list for today and getting busy doing, right now. What’s on his list? Coming to you today, with a deep desire to be in a relationship, to gift you his love, to ease your pain and to release your burden as he immerses you completely in his grace.
Stop. Listen. Receive.
Wow, God! I just realised that I am the focus of your to-do list for today! It’s really hard for me, but I have stopped. I am listening. I am open to receive. Thanks for coming. Welcome to my day. Peace. Amen.
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