What If God Wrote Your Bucket List?

1. Align Your Bucket List with God's Will, Not Concrete Goals

Your goals for your life are not nearly as important as God’s goals for your life.

God's Plan vs. Personal Ambitions. While setting personal goals is valuable, it's crucial to recognize that God's plan for your life may differ significantly from your own aspirations. Be open to unexpected opportunities and directions that align with His will, even if they deviate from your carefully laid plans.

Flexibility and Surrender. Avoid becoming too rigid in your pursuit of specific achievements. Instead, cultivate a spirit of flexibility and surrender, allowing God to guide your steps and redirect your path as needed. Remember that Proverbs 16:9 (NLT) reminds us, "We can make our plans, but the LORD determines our steps."

Transformational Decisions. Focus on decisions, truths, and insights that are truly transformational rather than simply pursuing headline-worthy accomplishments. Embrace opportunities to love your neighbor, serve those in need, and build a solid foundation for your family, as these actions often align more closely with God's desires for your life.

2. Embrace Storms and Acknowledge God's Constant Presence

Through sunny days and stormy nights, he is our sole provider, protector, and guide.

God's Presence in Adversity. Life inevitably brings storms, but God's presence remains constant through every challenge. Instead of fearing adversity, recognize it as an opportunity to experience God's power and provision in a tangible way.

Building a Firm Foundation. The best place to be during a storm is in a house with a firm foundation built on faith in Jesus Christ. Matthew 7:25 confirms, "The rain came down, the streams rose, and the winds blew and beat against that house; yet it did not fall, because it had its foundation on the rock."

Intentional Time with God. Be intentional about spending time with God, regardless of external circumstances. Whether in a church building or a quiet moment of reflection, prioritize your relationship with Him as your sole provider, protector, and guide.

3. Cultivate Childlike Faith and Trust in God's Wisdom

Childlike faith means you finally see God as a trustworthy heavenly Father.

Embracing Curiosity and Trust. Adopt the curiosity, wide-eyed wonder, and dependence of a child when approaching your faith. Trust in God's wisdom, even when you don't fully understand His ways, and be open to taking steps of faith that may seem illogical from a worldly perspective.

Seeking God's Answers. As you mature in your faith, don't hesitate to ask tough questions about the universe, justice, and the nature of heaven. God will reveal His majesty, offer comfort in times of tragedy, and provide glimpses of glory through fellowship with believers.

Resting in God's Love. Even as a mature believer, remember that you can always return to your heavenly Father and rest in His perfect love. Allow yourself to be curious, wide-eyed, dependent, and trusting, just like a child.

4. Serve Others Humbly, Putting Their Needs Before Your Own

Anyone who wants to be first must be the very last, and the servant of all.

True Greatness Through Service. In God's economy, true greatness is found not in worldly achievements but in serving others with humility and selflessness. Prioritize the needs of your family, neighbors, and community, and seek opportunities to make a positive impact on their lives.

Serving as a Lifestyle. Live as a servant to all, not just when it's convenient or comfortable. Embrace opportunities to go the extra mile, offer a helping hand, and demonstrate Christ's love through your actions.

Reversing Conventional Wisdom. Jesus turns conventional wisdom upside down by teaching that those who want to be first must be the very last and the servant of all. By embracing this countercultural mindset, you'll not only feel great but also become great in God's eyes.

5. Reconsider God's Rules as a Foundation for a Fulfilling Life

What if the Ten Commandments create a master grid for a life of satisfaction?

God's Laws as a Gift. Instead of viewing God's laws as limiting restrictions, consider them a gift from a loving Father designed to protect and provide for you. Embrace the Ten Commandments as a master grid for a life of satisfaction and fulfillment.

Understanding and Embracing the Commandments. Take the time to review the Ten Commandments and understand their relevance to your life today. Recognize that following these principles opens the door to a life of great purpose and fulfillment for you and your family.

Living a Life of Freedom. By aligning your life with God's laws, you'll experience true freedom and satisfaction. The Ten Commandments provide a master grid for a life of purpose and fulfillment, guiding you toward decisions that honor God and bless others.

6. Reflect on Life and Death to Appreciate Relationships

The art of living well and the art of dying well are one.

Funerals as Reminders. Attending funerals should be a reminder of the value of life and the inevitability of death. Use these occasions to reflect on your own mortality and consider what truly matters in life.

Character Over Possessions. Memorial services reveal that a person's character is more treasured than their cash value. Focus on building meaningful relationships and leaving a legacy of kindness, generosity, and courage.

Living for Something Bigger. Live and die for something much bigger than yourself. Honor comes in living and dying for something much bigger than ourselves.

7. Love and Be Loved: A Two-Way Flow of Divine Connection

We love because he first loved us.

Love as a Fundamental Need. Love is a fundamental human need, essential for healthy development and well-being. Just as newborns require physical contact and affection to thrive, all individuals need to receive and give love throughout their lives.

Love as Proof of Faith. Pure, unselfish, mutual love is proof of a relationship with Christ. John 13:35 says, "By this everyone will know that you are my disciples, if you love one another."

God's Unconditional Love. The single best example of love flowing two directions is between man and his Creator. In 1 John 4:19, the Bible identifies the only reason we can love at all: "We love because he first loved us."

8. Recognize God's Majesty Beyond Limited Human Definitions

No statement about God is simply, literally true.

God's Limitless Nature. Avoid putting God in a box by reducing Him to a single concept, even the wonderful idea of love. God is truth, justice, life, mercy, righteousness, and sovereign, and He transcends our limited human understanding.

Responding to Others' Needs. When encountering those who are hurting, frustrated, or doubting, don't offer a simplistic definition of God. Instead, come alongside them and let them see God's compassion reflected in your life through empathy, hope, and gentleness.

Introducing the All-Powerful God. Be intentional about introducing people to the all-powerful, all-knowing, and all-present God of the universe. Acknowledge that we can know Him and communicate with Him, but we cannot fully comprehend His majesty.

9. Find Joy in the Garden: Seek Intimate Moments with God

Let all who take refuge in you be glad; let them ever sing for joy.

Spiritual Breakthrough Moments. Strive to experience breakthrough spiritual moments that penetrate your heart, mind, and soul all at the same time. These are truths worth hanging on to and returning to again and again.

Laying the Groundwork. Prepare yourself for these moments by opening a devotional, sitting in a pew, dusting off your Bible, or tuning in to Christian radio. Sit regularly with a small group of friends, listening to their stories and sharing some of your own.

Taking Refuge in God. Take refuge and find true joy in the Lord, regardless of your circumstances. Like the Chinese pastor who found solace in a cesspool, cultivate a private worship space where you can experience God's presence and sing for joy.

10. Value Yourself as Worthy of Christ's Sacrifice

You are worth Jesus.

Recognizing Your Value. Remember that all human life has value, and you are no exception. Avoid thinking too highly or too poorly of yourself, and instead strive for a balanced understanding of your worth in God's eyes.

The Great Exchange. Someone has already demonstrated the exact value of your life by trading his life for yours. That’s right, you are worth Jesus.

Act Like an Heir. Remind yourself that you can be heirs to God's kingdom, not because of anything you can do, but because of what Jesus's love and mercy has already done. Embrace your identity as a child of God and live accordingly.

11. Embrace Imperfection and Overcome Excuses to Serve God

God uses broken people to do great things.

God's Use of Imperfect People. Recognize that God often uses broken people to do great things. Embrace your weaknesses and shortcomings, knowing that God can use them for His glory.

Overcoming Excuses. Identify your go-to excuses for avoiding service and challenge them with biblical examples of imperfect people mightily used by God. Remember that God chose the foolish things of the world to shame the wise and the weak things to shame the strong.

Being an Example. Instead of making excuses, strive to be an example of how God welcomes broken people into His family and empowers them to be examples of healing, strength, wisdom, new purpose, and hero status.

12. Practice Forgiveness and Live Grudge-Free

You gotta let go of those bad feelings, otherwise they just eat at ya.

The Detrimental Effects of Grudges. Recognize that holding grudges has a greater negative impact on the grudge holder than the grudge target. Let go of resentment and bitterness, as they can be dangerous to your health and well-being.

Letting Go and Moving On. Release the expectation of an apology and choose to let the other person off the hook. Remember that they may not even be aware of the harm they've caused, and holding on to the grudge only hurts you.

Supernatural Response. Instead of seeking revenge, embrace a supernatural response by loving your enemies and praying for those who persecute you. Trust that God will ultimately bring justice and that your kindness may have a transformative impact on their lives.

Last updated: March 31, 2025