God has given each one of us extraordinary gifts. Each one of us is blessed with talent. While our talents differ, we all have at least one. But more than talent, we are blessed with ability.
Our levels of ability differ, too, but all of us have the ability to exist, the ability to give, and the ability to accomplish.
Take a look at your to-do list. How long is it?
If it’s anything like mine, it’s beginning to rival the length of Webster’s dictionary. The number of items on my to-do list multiplies daily, yet most days only a select few things get marked off.
But I have the ability to accomplish the things on my list. Ability that is God-given.
He has given me a body. He has given me a brain. He has given me today. With those three things, I can accomplish so much.
The way to glorify God in my daily life is to accomplish the tasks on my to-do list to the very best of my ability.
I’m constantly telling my children, “A job worth doing is worth doing well, and doing a job well makes God happy.”
That’s the kid way of saying “put away laziness and work to the best of your ability, for this pleases the Lord.”
Hard work is just that—often difficult and grueling. But when we set our mind to a task and use the talents and abilities that God has given us to complete these tasks, we glorify him by appreciating his creation and putting to use that which He created.
Why should I bother caring whether or not I’ve done my very best job mopping my kitchen floor? Or finessing the details on that project at work? Or not letting my child get away with talking back to me? Or replying to that email I’ve been ignoring?
Because God cares about me.
God cares whether or not I’m exhausting the talents and abilities He’s given. He cares whether or not I appreciate the gift.
Appreciating His gift in our abilities to accomplish tasks, no matter how menial, glorifies him. And our very purpose on this earth is to glorify God in all things.
So many of us are weary from chasing after that to-do list, desperate to mark off the tasks and feel as though we’ve accomplished something each day. But if we shift our focus from mere completion to glorification of our Heavenly Father, our accomplishments mean so much more.
Work as hard as you can today. Give each task 100% of your attention and your effort, no matter what you are doing.
Even if you feel like your task doesn’t matter to God, remember that your ability to glorify Him does.
The secret to defeating that ever-growing “to do” list is to do everything to the best of your ability, with your focus on glorifying the one who gave you those abilities. Pretty soon you’ll realize that tasks on your list aren’t the important thing—it’s how you complete them.
Now, I’ve got a floor that needs cleaning. Praise Him!
She watches over the affairs of her household and does not eat the bread of idleness.
Proverbs 31:27
Share with me: What task on your to-do list is getting most of your time and attention today?
Hale and Hearty Words 