<p>So much of what we do on a daily basis is built on tight schedules and checklists. One of the most popular narratives during the very first week of the lockdown was that this time would be a true measure of resilience and self-worth, both evaluated solely in terms of productivity. Other social media posts urged readers to immediately begin learning a new language or gaining a new certification.</p>.<p>It would be unfair to dismiss the importance of quantifiable achievements, efficiency, and deadlines in ensuring accountability. However, widening the scope and intensity of this structured, result-oriented approach to every part of our day is one surefire path towards burnout. </p>.<p>This realization is pivotal, especially along with a committed focus on your best efforts and vision, rather than just targets and quotas. It becomes a game-changer, not just in the professional sphere where it soothes stress and anxiety, but even more so in emotional health, and in one’s spiritual journey. </p>.<p>Often, we begin to believe that the checklist approach can apply to our walk with God. This causes people to become preoccupied with the to-dos – to pray, meditate or give, in order to meet one’s own ideals of perfect religion. However, as Apostle Paul writes in Colossians 2, these human rules and teachings soon lose their meaning.</p>.<p>When we focus continually on the doing, it causes us to approach faith in the same way as we do work - as tasks to be accomplished and criteria to be met. One of the most freeing revelations one could have is this – the criteria were thrown out, a couple millennia ago! Where the law had proposed an unattainable checklist, love has become its ultimate fulfilment. Every commandment now amounts only to love – to love the Lord your God with all your heart, and to love your neighbour as yourself. It is then, our time to focus on the being – for as we read in 1 John 4:12, “God lives in us, and his love is made complete in us.” </p>.<p>More often than not, concern with fulfilling the to-do can directly hinder this most important commission. So then, if there is one thing we actually need to do, it is this – throw out all checklists, and simply love. </p>
<p>So much of what we do on a daily basis is built on tight schedules and checklists. One of the most popular narratives during the very first week of the lockdown was that this time would be a true measure of resilience and self-worth, both evaluated solely in terms of productivity. Other social media posts urged readers to immediately begin learning a new language or gaining a new certification.</p>.<p>It would be unfair to dismiss the importance of quantifiable achievements, efficiency, and deadlines in ensuring accountability. However, widening the scope and intensity of this structured, result-oriented approach to every part of our day is one surefire path towards burnout. </p>.<p>This realization is pivotal, especially along with a committed focus on your best efforts and vision, rather than just targets and quotas. It becomes a game-changer, not just in the professional sphere where it soothes stress and anxiety, but even more so in emotional health, and in one’s spiritual journey. </p>.<p>Often, we begin to believe that the checklist approach can apply to our walk with God. This causes people to become preoccupied with the to-dos – to pray, meditate or give, in order to meet one’s own ideals of perfect religion. However, as Apostle Paul writes in Colossians 2, these human rules and teachings soon lose their meaning.</p>.<p>When we focus continually on the doing, it causes us to approach faith in the same way as we do work - as tasks to be accomplished and criteria to be met. One of the most freeing revelations one could have is this – the criteria were thrown out, a couple millennia ago! Where the law had proposed an unattainable checklist, love has become its ultimate fulfilment. Every commandment now amounts only to love – to love the Lord your God with all your heart, and to love your neighbour as yourself. It is then, our time to focus on the being – for as we read in 1 John 4:12, “God lives in us, and his love is made complete in us.” </p>.<p>More often than not, concern with fulfilling the to-do can directly hinder this most important commission. So then, if there is one thing we actually need to do, it is this – throw out all checklists, and simply love. </p>