So, what do you do when you’re looking at your To Do List, and it just seems to be getting longer every day? Who isn’t frustrated by that?

Then, this morning, I turned to Ps 131, which speaks of contentment in the presence of God.

My heart is not proud, Lord, my eyes are not haughty;

I do not concern myself with great matters or things too wonderful for me.

But I have calmed and quieted myself, I am like a weaned child with its mother; like a weaned child I am content.

Israel, put your trust in the Lord both now and for evermore.

The child is not content because her mother satisfies her thirst – this is a weaned child. The child is simply content to be in her mother’s presence.

I need to speak that child’s truth into my To Do List today.

God is with me, I can be content. His presence can be my comfort and joy. I am reminded that he is at work, certainly through what I do, but – happily – way beyond that as well. More: he is at work irrespective of what I do. He’s at work whether I do anything or not. His work and its effectiveness does not depend on anything I do. But he works through me, anyway.

That’s his glorious promise: that this new life he has given me will continue to overflow, revealing his Kingdom even through my failing and faltering efforts.

We were therefore buried with him through baptism into death in order that, just as Christ was raised from the dead through the glory of the Father, we too may live a new life (Rom 6:4, NIV)

When there’s still so much to do, it’s a powerful comfort that God is at work well beyond my capabilities and capacity.

You may get your To Do List done today. Then again, you may not. But God is working through you anyway!

I am content with that.