Life Insights: Bucket List
I have to admit I enjoyed the comedy “Bucket List.” When a person finds out he has less than a year to live and tries to accomplish a number of adventurous things before he dies and then dies, it is rather moving to me. I like adventure. I like to do risky things. I know death is a sobering time for most people, because it causes us to reflect on what is important in life. Is a bucket list important in life?
I have heard many people say they have a bucket list. Some of the things I have heard people say they want to do, I applaud them and hope they have a good time. I have to admit, I don’t have one. I have been blessed and have traveled all over the world and accomplished many things. So for me to say, “I don’t have a bucket list,” does not mean much to people. Some often think, “If I had done what you’ve been able to enjoy, I can see why you don’t have one.” For that reason, I write this respectfully and defer to the desires of others.
Yet, at the same time, I must help you think through priorities. What is a bucket list? I have yet to hear of one person have one item about sharing the gospel with people, or leading a person in discipleship, or discipling ten people to become disciple-making people. The bucket list is always a place to go, or something earthly to do or see.
When I compare what I hear what is on a bucket list, compared to what believers in Jesus Christ will do and see in heaven, I have to admit, I do not see any comparison. I wonder, as one dear sister mentioned, “Bucket lists are made to make people’s lives more interesting.” I must admit, I have to agree with her. When we get to heaven, a bucket list will be a far distant memory at best. What we see and do in heaven will be far more vivid, far more glorious and far more exalting. The resources needed for a bucket list will be a dismal investment for eternity sake.
The enemy has filled our lives with so many things, which distract us from what is truly important. If people put as much mental, emotional and physical energy into God’s priorities as they do thinking about a bucket list, we Christians might influence our community from its downward spiral.
How intent are Christians learning how to be disciple, so they can disciple others who will be able to disciple others? How intent are people pursuing the multiplication of discipleship to honor the Lord? How intent are people denying what they want to do in order to put others first and help them in their walk with the Lord?
I see Christians content with Bible study, fellowship and attending church. Praise God for the ones who are seeking to learn multiplication! Praise God for the ones who are building bridges with others! Praise God for those who are less concerned about their own knowledge intake and are more concerned with helping others understand how to multiply!
I am encouraged every time I see people grasp the multiplication process, because the enemy hates it.
The enemy will distract people from God’s priority of discipleship at whatever level he can. He will use all the entertainment of life and of sports. People shout when their team wins a game, but the same people are dry and stoic singing praise to God in church. People plan great trips across the United States, but the same people expect the church to teach and entertain for 40 years, without their involvement in discipleship. People plan out their 50 item bucket list, but never get around to discipling another person to Jesus. Do I want you to enjoy all that God has created? Absolutely! It is God’s magnificent and beautiful world.
Enjoy a trip. Enjoy what God has created. Enjoy your vacation. Enjoy your retirement. Enjoy the adventure. Yet, don’t get distracted from God’s priorities.
I like what James says about misusing the tongue, “My friends, these things ought not to be so.” (Jam. 3:10) Let’s not misuse the time He’s given us. Let’s follow what Moses said, “So teach us to number our days, that we may gain a heart of wisdom.” (Ps. 90:12)
What’s your bucket list? Who does God want you to reach for His name sake? Who are some people you might be able to disciple? How does God want to exalt His name? How can I help you with God’s bucket list of priorities?
Shepherding Truth 