My brother is a very comical person. He, like our Dad, and like me to a smaller extent, has a unique kind of humor. Part dry, part people can't figure out if we are joking or not... sometimes it's a little awkward. But it's just how we are, and we embrace it! Why I'm telling you this, is it relates to my title of this post. When he first got an Instagram, he posted a picture from one of his hiking adventures with a very intellectual and inspirational caption, and used the hashtag #WiseStuffWednesday. Except it wasn't Wednesday, so it was very comical. Not sure if anyone caught it, but I did and thought it was pretty clever.
Today is Wednesday, and I decided I wanted to share something a little deeper with y'all. So #WiseStuffWednesday here we go! A couple weeks ago, I was scrolling through my Instagram feed and saw a post from another blogger that spoke to me. It was a re-gram from the app First5, a daily devotion app for women by Proverbs 31 Ministries. Intrigued, I clicked on over to the app's Instagram, and later downloaded the app! Today, I just want to touch on the post that has really stuck with me each day since; "When I live on God's schedule, I will always have God's help."
I'm a relatively busy person, and I like it that way. Yes, I like to relax in front of a movie from time to time, but I like to be accomplishing things. A lot of my classmates have told me they don't know how I do it; between our intense & time-consuming major, blogging, seeing my long-distance fiancé, and having a Premier Designs Jewelry business, sometimes I wonder too how I manage to get everything done! But seeing this post, and reading the corresponding devotional has really helped me get through a quite busy couple weeks, and will carry me through the rest of this semester, school year, and the rest of my life.
Part of my ability to get everything accomplished is my love for to-do lists. Anyone else use them to keep on track? It really is a great way to see and familiarize yourself with what needs to get done each day, and checking off each task is very rewarding. But I have found that sometimes if I have a long to-do list and not everything gets accomplished (because something took longer than expected, other things came up, etc) then I become frustrated with myself. Why couldn't I do everything? Why did task xyz take so long? How will I get it all done tomorrow with what I already have planned?
In the devotional that corresponds with the above message, from John 7, Jesus's brothers are pushing Him to get out in the limelight, go ahead of God's timing, and take advantage of a great marketing opportunity to promote Himself. A lot of things can push us ahead of God's timing, whether it's family, friends, a boss or coworker; even we can push ourselves ahead of God's timing. That's kind of what happens when we stress over our unfinished to-do list.
The prayer that goes with the devotional is my favorite part...
"Lord God, You are the keeper of time. Your timing is perfect and all-important. I want to trust You today with my schedule. I don't want to miss anything You have planned for me. Lead me so that I can accomplish only those tasks You have assigned me today. In Jesus' name, Amen."
Since reading this devotional, I have included something like this in my morning prayers, and it has made me feel more accomplished at the end of everyday because I know that I have given my day to God and have achieved what I was meant to achieve. It gives me an inner peace. I'm not saying it's the total solution, but there is something to be said about praying over the stressors in your life, including your schedule.
If you're interested in the First5 app's daily devotions, I highly suggest you check them out! On Instagram, find them @first5app and you can read more about it on their website.
I hope you all don't mind me getting a little deep here, and I hope you have a great Wednesday!
--Caroline
