Although it’s unusual for me to watch TV evangelism shows, I recently caught part of a Charles Stanley sermon, and want to share part of what he talked he about.
Dr. Stanley noted that he uses a 3×5 card in his shirt pocket that lists three things he believes God would have him do for the day. He said that these items typically come to him when he awakens during the night, and that he will then pray about them to confirm and/or clarify them.
Perhaps you’re saying, “okay … but he is a preacher … that sort of thing wouldn’t work for me.”
You may be right that most of us would find it hard to develop this exact sort of list, especially one for every day. But, what about a list of inspired tasks for the week, instead of for every day? Or at least an inspired list every once in a while.
Back when I used only the Covey-style of weekly planning (before GTD even exited), every week I planned to accomplish something in my role that had a spiritual dimension. I tried to let myself be inspired when considering what to do in that role, so that the task list would be more from my heart than from my head. I think that is something that anyone can do.
Generally the kinds of things you come up with for such a list are not the things that are already on your master task list. Things like “have lunch with my friend who is getting a divorce” or “volunteer to do janitorial work at my church for Saturday.”
Or, as Dr. Stanley pointed out, the items on such a list might be guidance instead of tasks. An example that he discussed was that his daily list sometimes contained the following statement: “pause.” He said the reason for that is that it helped remind him to not say something before he had paused to give it sufficient thought, or until he felt that God had spoken to his heart.
What are your thoughts and suggestions?
{ 3 comments… read them below or add one }
I haven’t given the spiritual dimensions of my life much thought over the last 20-or-so years. Unlike a lot of things in life — like a job, housework, family obligations, etc. — spirtuality isn’t going to pursue me. I have to pursue it. As I approach the age of 40, I’m beginning to think maybe it’s time.
I’d never thought of using a task list for this purpose, but why not? If you’re using lists to stay organized, then you need to keep things on your lists that are important. I guess it could take many forms: action items to read scripture or other spiritual texts; calendar items for setting aside “quiet time” to pray or contemplate; or projects for volunteer work.
Well, you’ve given me yet another thing to think about.
Hi Bill. Thank you for your comment, well-stated as always.
In addition to making time for growing spiritually, we should also allow ourselves to be inspired … that is, be open to inspiration. Sometimes I am good at this. Most of the time it seems that I am not so good at it. Right now, for example, I am in a complete inspirational lull … I can’t think of anything to write about. Hopefully I will soon come out of that. I am trying to be open to being inspired, but apparently still have too much negativity built up (from the market crisis, etc.).
Take care.
That’s an interesting point, that we need to *allow* ourselves to be open to inspiration. I’m a practitioner of GTD, which attempts to encourage such thinking. But ultimately, you’re talking about something that transcends “what planning system do you use” to the same extent that humans transcend single-celled-organisms.
I used to meditate, do yoga, read comic-books, and just be spontaneous. Somewhere along the line, I stopped doing that as I attempted to become “disciplined” and “responsible.” Perhaps in addition to incorporating spiritual aspirations into my lists I should also at times just forget about the damn lists and remember what life is all about… “living.”
Rather than adding “pause” to my task list, I think I’ll tape a piece of paper with that word on it to my mirror so I see it every morning. Inspiration is sometimes that which occurs in the space between conscious thought, when for a moment our minds our truly at rest and open to that which is Out There Waiting for Us.