When my plane got delayed in the Birmingham airport recently, I found myself with some quiet time away from my family with no form of entertainment. I therefore took the opportunity to create something I’ve heard so much about in both the media and among friends: a bucket list.
When considering what places I wanted to visit, people I wanted to meet, or “things” I wanted to accomplish before I died, I instinctively thought of those old familiar ideas—the ones that have stewed in my mind for years and embody the more ambitious side of me. Yes, I could still move to Washington, D.C., take part in drafting an amicus brief on religious liberty, dust off and publish my six-year-old novel-in-progress, meet anyone who knew Flannery O’Connor personally, or write that musical play (despite my lack of any musical training). And for a minute, I blissfully imagined myself fulfilling these dreams and finally encountering my destiny.
Of course, that is the tragedy of modernly-minded bucket lists. They suggest that what we are now, who we know now, the community where we live now, or the life we live now is somehow inadequate. They look at life as leading toward one cumulative, self-focused destination, with side steps suggesting detour or failure. As a wise visiting priest recently reminded young people in my congregation, however, to focus or obsess about what we hope to accomplish in the future is to undermine who we actually are in Christ today. And the same can certainly be said for rest of us as well.
This is not to say that bucket lists can’t include potential exciting experiences, but alone, that is all they would ever be. (Even now, when I consider my former list in light of my present life with four beautiful children and husband, a job that brings me joy, and a strong faith life—none of which ever made its way into my original list—my old ideas seem nothing short of silly and immature.) Yes, a a more Christ-focused bucket list would therefore not include the self-seeking accomplishments of our youth and would instead include ways to “be” Christ in the life right in front of us, where real living and destiny occur everyday.
Accordingly, here is the start for some Biblically-based list ideas for us Christians:
1. Answer, Serve, and Expect Nothing in Return
Jesus told His disciples that “whoever desires to be first among you, let him be your slave—just as the Son of Man did not come to be served, but to serve, and to give His life a ransom for many” (Matthew 20:28). In a world where it is easy to add so many secondary activities that distract us from giving to others, we should focus instead on where the world actually needs service. We can find a shelter, a parish, a person, or institution in need—and show up to help. But here’s the catch: since we are doing it to serve, it is to serve the kingdom of God, not ourselves. We must therefore do it without expecting anything–not money, esteem, or acknowledgment—in return.
2. Smile…Always
Although I was raised to always smile at others, on a recent stressful day, I was apparently scowling more than smiling. In a thirty-minute time period I passed three coworkers, all of whom stopped to ask me what was wrong. Their response was a strong testimony to the power of a smile, and the power of withholding it. The fact is that a smile reminds others that there is hope in the world, that there is always something to be grateful for, so we should never stop sharing it.
3. Encounter
When my car battery died a few weeks ago, I called for help. The service man that arrived not only fixed my car but shared with me stories about his six children, his faith, and a few family tragedies he had overcome. And the experience left me blessed and reminded that each day offers special encounters with others in Christ. It can be with our children’s friends or teachers, the cashier at the grocery store, or the mailman on his postal route. We shouldn’t ignore these opportunities by checking our iPhones or finding other ways to distract ourselves. Instead, we should give these encounters priority and see where they lead us.
4. Seek and Ask for Forgiveness
Forgiveness on a daily basis is a difficult task. Even our closest friends can hurt our feelings or make us angry at one time or another. Of course, we are all sinners, and we are all in need of God’s mercy. To think certain people in our life are not worthy of forgiveness is to look at their life as less than what God intends. If our goal is to live a fulfilled Christian life, we have to allow healing, not hate, into our hearts. As the Lord’s Prayer states, we have to ask God to “forgive us our trespasses as we forgive those who trespass against us.” It is only then that we can experience the true love of Christ.
5.Dance/Sing/Praise
Jesus said, “Unless you are converted and become as little children, you will by no means enter the kingdom of heaven” (Matthew 18:3). How true this is! Perhaps one of the greatest benefits of spending time around children is that they force us adults to act in ways that we might not otherwise, to act in ways that glorify God outside of our comfort zones. In fact, it has been my experience that no matter where I am, the children I encounter will inevitably find ways to incorporate song, dance, and praise into their daily activities. We adults shouldn’t sit on the sidelines and simply watch. We should sing along in the car, dance in the kitchen or ball field, and experience this same pure joy.
**6. Do All Things in Love
Of course, no list would be complete without the most important call to Christian love. Jesus said, “Love one another as I have loved you” (John 15:12). Although this kind of sacrificial, self-giving, merciful love is not an always easy for us sinners, without it we are not truly Christians. We must therefore allow our love of Christ to guide all of the above. When we serve, let us see the face of Christ–and love. When we smile, let us see the face of Christ–and love. When we encounter others, let us see the face of Christ–and love. When we seek and ask for forgiveness, let us see the face of Christ–and love. When we dance, sing, and praise, let us see the face of Christ–and love.
Although these ideas are just a starting point, they do offer some tangible ways for us to offer our lives to Christ each day. If you have ideas of your own, please share them here as well.
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