Key scripture – “Whatever you do, do it enthusiastically, as something done for the Lord and not for men, knowing that you will receive the reward of an inheritance from the Lord. You serve the Lord Christ.” (Colossians 3:23-24 HCSB).

Do you have a lot of “to-dos”? Is your to do list long and getting longer everyday?

Sometimes — when you look at your list — instead of feeling energized with a game plan, do your emotions go into panic mode? Are you almost afraid to look at the list because it seems monumental. While most of the tasks in and of themselves aren’t too difficult or time-consuming, when viewed as a whole, they seem like a massive mountain you will never be able to scale.

Then, on top of the panic, do you also start to go into the poor pitiful me mode? Does your mind start looping the “poor me” soundtrack that automatically starts playing when you just look at your list.

Poor me … I have to do laundry before I go to work.

Poor me … I have projects at work that I need to finish.

Poor me … I have to stop and get groceries after work.

Poor me … I have to help my kids with homework.

Poor, poor, pitiful me!

Today’s Key scripture addresses this “poor me” mentality by giving us a fresh perspective as we go about doing our work: “Whatever you do, do it enthusiastically, as something done for the Lord and not for men …”

Three words jump out at me as I stop and ponder this verse:

1. Whatever.

Whatever I do. Not just the tasks I enjoy, or the work that brings me recognition or the duties that I find are also fun, but WHATEVER I do is to be done …

2. Enthusiastically.

Enthusiastically is defined as “done lively and with great interest; wholeheartedly, sincerely, energetically and earnestly.” Does that describe your attitude as you tackle the “whatevers” on your to-do list?

3. Lord.

It is the Lord himself we are serving as we enthusiastically check off our “whatevers.” Not a husband. Or kids. Not a boss or the committee chairperson. We are serving Jesus Christ Himself as we work.

How about we hit the re-start button when it comes to taking our lists from “to-do” to “It’s done!”? Let’s not panic. Or pout. Or be in the poor pitiful me mode. Rather, let’s loop thoughts through our mind the Colossians 3:23 way.

In other words start saying:

I don’t have to do laundry. I get to do laundry — because The Lord blessed me with more than one set of clothes and I have a washer and dryer which are located in a home that I call my own, while many are without clean clothes, homeless or displaced. And I am serving the Lord Jesus as I clean my clothes.

I don’t have to drudge through and finish the projects at work – I get to finish them — because The Lord blessed me with a job, the ability to work, and a good income. And I am serving the Lord Jesus as I work.

I don’t have to stop and get groceries. I get to do this errand — because I have enough money to purchase provisions, and I own a car, so I don’t have to walk and carry my groceries home. And I am serving the Lord Jesus as I shop for groceries.

“Do everything without grumbling or arguing, so that you may become blameless and pure, “children of God without fault in a warped and crooked generation.” Then you will shine among them like stars in the sky as you hold firmly to the word of life. And then I will be able to boast on the day of Christ that I did not run or labor in vain.” (Philippians 2:14-16).

As you start your day today, remember that we don’t have to, we get to, and Praise God that you have the opportunity to serve Him no matter what you are doing.

Pray this – Our Precious Heavenly Father, thank You for all the to-dos on my list. Help me to always remember that I am working for You and that I am here to serve You and glorify Your Name. You have blessed me with so much, forgive me for all the times that I have grumbled and complained. I want to rejoice and give praise to You for everything and do what Paul told us to do, “Rejoice in the Lord always. I will say it again: Rejoice!” (Philippians 4:4). If I catch myself starting to fret, complain and grumble, I will immediately stop and come and talk to You about my to do list and what is burdening me, not after I have talked to everyone else, but I will talk to You first. As the Psalmist said, “I cry aloud to the Lord; I lift up my voice to the Lord for mercy. I pour out before him my complaint; before him I tell my trouble.” (Psalm 142:1-2). Father, grow in me an attitude of gratitude so that no matter what I am doing I am rejoicing in You. In Jesus’ Name, I pray, Amen.