Stepping Stones of Life

Every since I saw the movie “The Bucket List,” starring Jack Nicholson and Morgan Freeman, I’ve heard more and more people talking about what they want to do before they kick the bucket, so to speak. They really think about what it is they want to accomplish before something happens to them. Their list might look something like this….

                Sky diving
                Bungee jumping
                Swimming with dolphins
                Snorkeling 
                Rock Climbing 
                Traveling to another country
                Go on a cruise 
                Ride through the Grand Canyon

And the list goes on. As I really thought about this, and it’s all fine and dandy that people want to have a bucket list or maybe goals to accomplish before they die. But what about a different list we should consider? What about a bucket list for God? A list of things that brings glory to God and in the end brings us a great happiness too. A Bucket List for God might look something like this…..

                Forgive someone that needs forgiving 
                Feed the homeless
                Give a hug to brighten someone’s day
                Open a children’s center so kids have a place they can call home
                Love other people who feel unloved
                Buy random gifts just to give away
                Give money to people who are in need
                Buy a car and give it away
                Go on a mission’s trip and lead people to have a relationship with God
                Be more sensitive to people’s needs 
                Go into prisons and share the gospel
                Pay for someone’s gas that is behind you in line
                Be a volunteer at your church

 I know that some of these things on this list seem simple and wouldn’t take anything to do, they are easy and you might say well I can do that one. But what happens when it’s something a little more difficult or requires more work on our part. Then what do we do? 

Our goal on earth is to share God’s love as far as the east is to the west. Love people the way God loved us. Forgive so that we may be forgiven. Help the way God helped us. Go above and beyond what we really think we can do.

Do you have a bucket list? Is it a list just for you? Will your list be pleasing to God?

         No eye has seem, no ear has hear, no mind has conceived what 
           God has prepared for those who love him. I Corinthians 2:9

            Surrendering yourself was just the first step one must take to grasp the whole picture of what God has in store for your life. When you have surrendered yourself and your innermost being that is an act of worship unto our Lord. That is just one way that you are showing God the love that you have for him, because you are offering yourself as a living scarifies to God for a better and more rewarding life. That is amazing and you should be excited to look ahead and know that God has a plan for your life. 
            The next step you need to take is giving up the right to change your spouse, your children, your family and friends. You can’t change them for who you think they should become and you don’t have the right to run their lives. Only God can change someone. Once again that is where you will lay those circumstances before the Lord and tell Him that you have no control over their lives and you are surrendering the right to change them and their lives. God knows what’s best and He knows what is best for everyone. 
            Are you one of those people that have to be in control? The fear of letting go of something you don’t have control of is frightening. Don’t be fearful and don’t let pride get in the way of letting go of some type of control that you shouldn’t have. You are not a weak person to surrender yourself or your spouse or even your children. That is a wise move, for you are showing God that he is the God of heaven and earth. Most importantly that he is your heavenly father and as a child of God He knows what is best for his children. Remember, “God created my inmost being you knit me together in my mother’s womb, you know when I sit and when I rise; you perceive my thoughts from afar. You are familiar with all my ways. Before a word is on my tongue you know it completely, O Lord.” Psalm 139 1-13
            He knows everything about us. He knows what we are going to say before we say it. He knows what we are going to do before we do it. Good or bad and he still loves us. Pray to the Lord on all occasions and all types of request and He will teach you how to surrender so you will become a better spouse, a better parents, a better friend, a better person of God. It is not just yourelf you are surrendering control of. It is everything, spouse, children, situations, illnesses, work, confusions, and problems of all kinds. Surrender them with a willing heart to the Go of miracles.