I’ve got two lists going in my head.
The first list isn’t that long. Just a few items. They are projects God has kindly and gently placed in my lap. If these items were on your list, and I happened to peek over your shoulder and get a glimpse of your list, I’d think to myself, “Nice. She’ll have those done in no time and it will be so fun to cheer her on!”
The second list, however, is quite long. It takes up pages and pages of neatly spaced lines. It’s written in my best handwriting, using my most favorite pen (not pencil), and it is quite intimidating. It’s the list of all the reasons I can’t possibly accomplish the few, fun, exciting things on the first list.
Now, in my head I know the first list has more power, more potential, more “oomph” than the second list. I recognize the second list is a trap. But it feels quite the opposite. It feels as if the second list has the power, and the first list is designed to turn me into a failure. In public.
Here’s the thing about these two lists, though. It’s the ultimate differentiator, and you may have already caught it. The first list? That list came from God, and the second list was written by me.
Who writes the lists in your head? Which list has the most power?