You Get To Do This

Let the message about Christ, in all its richness, fill your lives. Teach and counsel each other with all the wisdom he gives. Sing psalms and hymns and spiritual songs to God with thankful hearts. And whatever you do or say, do it as a representative of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks through him to God the Father.

I get to do this.

Scrolling through social media, I paused when I saw my friend Samara’s post. The words were written in chalk, with “get” underlined for emphasis.

“This will be my summer mantra,” she wrote in the caption, explaining that summer necessitates a constant juggling between her career and her kids’ activities. “It’s easy to spiral into overwhelm, but I also feel so lucky that I GET to do this. I don’t HAVE to do this; I GET to.”

I appreciated her words. Because all too often, it’s easy to lament our busy schedule and daily tasks. We see them as obligations rather than opportunities. But when we reconsider through the lens of getting to do them rather than having to do them, our perspective shifts.

I don’t have to work just to provide for life’s needs; I get to work at a challenging and fulfilling job.

I don’t have to cook dinner for my family; I get to be thankful I have loved ones with whom I can share a meal.

I don’t have to doodle on the sidewalk with chalk next to my seven-year-old; I get to enjoy this all-too-brief age.

I don’t have to spend time in God’s Word; I get to learn from him and soak up the peace only he can offer.

The Bible reminds us that we need to let the message of Christ permeate every part of our lives, remembering that we should always seek to reflect his love. As followers of Jesus—wholly and deeply loved—his example is our starting point. During Jesus’ earthly ministry, he didn’t grouse about walking dusty roads with his disciples, teaching his many followers day after day, or healing those in need. Instead, he was ever conscious of the good news of God’s love.

We, too, can be ambassadors who demonstrate God’s love. And our to-do lists are simply opportunities to praise him.

Kristin

Today’s Act of Gratitude

Write a list of five tasks you have to accomplish. Read the list aloud, telling yourself that you get to do them.