Do you ever think about things you’d like to do before your time on earth is over? A “bucket list? I believe there’s a bucket list for Christians.
An acquaintance was feeling “old” after having a baby at age 38. It got her to thinking about the rest of her life. In response, she came up with a “bucket list” of things she wanted to accomplish by the time she turned 40.
Now I’m all for having goals. But as someone who passed 40 more than 10 years ago, I can assure you that 40 is not old. I don’t think 50 is old. I’m on my way to 60, and I don’t know if I’ll feel any older then. And I know people in their 70s who are accomplishing more than most of the rest of us who are half their age.
I don’t think 40 is old! But it is a point of wisdom to realize that our life on this earth is finite. How sad to get to the end and be left with only regrets for what we could have risked, could have done, could have said – but didn’t.
The six-year-old girl perhaps said it best: “If you love someone, hurry up and show it!”
Wanting to “kiss at the top of the Empire State Building,” or “learn to play guitar” may be great goals. But if you believe that God has a purpose for your life, there are some other things that should be on your “bucket list” for sure. Here are some things you don’t want to get to the end of your life without having accomplished:
- Take a risk to love – deeply, passionately, unconditionally.
- Make sure your spouse, children, and/or other family know that you love them, by words and actions.
- Do whatever it takes to get out of debt and stay that way.
- Make sure that things are right between you and God, that Jesus is your Savior.
- Forgive those who hurt you.
- Apologize to those you have harmed, and ask for their forgiveness.
- Talk to the people closest to you about Jesus.
Some other “bucket list” items have a much longer time-frame, but are no less important:
- Fully expend your creative energies for the advance of God’s Kingdom.
- Pass on your expertise in something to those who are coming after you.
- Live a life of integrity (not perfect, but open and clean).
- Have God fully deal with you in the areas you are vulnerable.
- Develop the characteristics of love, joy, peace, graciousness, kindness, faith – the “fruit of the Spirit.”
- Put everything else at risk to accomplish God’s purpose for you.
Some of those “bucket list” items are growth issues that you and God will need to work on throughout your life. All of them will take small steps on a regular basis to accomplish.
Don’t get to the end of your life and be left with, “If only ……” If you’re headed toward regrets now, it’s not too late to start working on your bucket list.
I like how one person said it: “Don’t die with your music still in you!”
Your Turn: What’s on your bucket list? How are you doing on accomplishing what’s on your list? Leave a comment below.
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