The Bottomless In-Basket

So many of us have endless “to do” lists and bottomless “in baskets.” We live our lives as if the secret purpose is to somehow get everything done. We stay up late, get up early, avoid having fun, and keep our loved ones waiting. Sadly, I’ve seen many people who put off their loved ones so long that they lose interest in maintaining the relationship. Often we convince ourselves that our obsession with our “to do” list is only temporary, that once we get through the list, we’ll be calm, relaxed, and happy. But in reality, this rarely happens. As items are checked off, new ones simply replace them.

The nature of our “in basket” is that it’s meant to have items to be completed in it, it is NOT meant to be empty. There will always be phone calls that need to be made, projects to be completed, and work to be done. In fact, it can be argued that a full “in basket” is essential for success. Listen to the Wisdom of Solomon:

What gain has the worker from his toil? I have seen the business that God has given to the children of man to be busy with. He has made everything beautiful in its time. Also, he has put eternity into man's heart, yet so that he cannot find out what God has done from the beginning to the end. I perceived that there is nothing better for them than to be joyful and to do good as long as they live; also that everyone should eat and drink and take pleasure in all his toil—this is God's gift to man. I perceived that whatever God does endures forever; nothing can be added to it, nor anything taken from it. God has done it, so that people fear before him. That which is, already has been; that which is to be, already has been; and God seeks what has been driven away. (Ecclesiastes 3:9-15 ESV).

Lettie Cowman's wonderful book, Springs in the Valley, brings us this interesting tale from African colonial history: “In the deep jungles of Africa, a traveler was making a long trek. Coolies had been engaged from a tribe to carry the loads. The first day they marched rapidly and went far. The traveler had high hopes of a speedy journey. But the second morning these jungle tribesmen refused to move. For some strange reason they just sat and rested. On inquiry as to the reason for this strange behavior, the traveler was informed that they had gone too fast the first day, and that they were now waiting for their souls to catch up with their bodies.” Then Mrs. Cowman concludes with this penetrating exhortation: “This whirling rushing life which so many of us live does for us what that first march did for those poor jungle tribesmen. The difference: they knew what they needed to restore life's balance; too often we do not.”

If you’re obsessed with “getting it all done,” you’ll never have peace in your life. In reality, almost everything can wait a bit. Very little in our life really falls into the “emergency” category. I have found that if I remind myself that the purpose of life isn’t to get it all done, but to enjoy each step along the way and live a life filled with the peace and presence of Christ, it is far easier to control my obsessive behavior. And, then I actually get more done! Amazing as it is, it is the truth of Scripture.