To-Do and “Ta-Done”

Who hasn’t seen a to-do list of some kind—on the wall, on a desk or refrigerator, or in a silly cartoon with characters hustling to get things done? Many have found their daily life or work dictated by a growing list of little checked boxes, in their heads if not on paper or a spreadsheet. And, quite often, the “ta-done’s” don’t seem to catch up to the “to-do’s” as quickly or efficiently as we might like.

Most of us make lists of things we need to accomplish in our busy lives. We have appointments to keep, projects to finish, tasks to do, and calls to make. We have classes, assignments, meetings, seminars, chores, and projects of all kinds. We may employ paper calendars and organizers, or we may use electronic tools to help us organize and prioritize our efforts to get more done in less time.

Most of us enjoy the sense of accomplishment and satisfaction of crossing a completed item off a list. Huge projects with multiple tasks are especially rewarding when done. We can then say, “Ah! It is finished.” It makes us feel good—for a little while, at least, until we look again at our growing list of new tasks to be done. We might sigh and say to ourselves, “So much to do, so little time!”

It is marvelous and inspiring to see what God has completed—His list of ultimate “ta-done’s.” His projects and plans are literally universal in scope. For instance, God created the heavens and the earth in the beginning. He said, “Let Us make man in Our image, according to Our likeness” (Genesis 1:26). In Genesis 2, we see that God finished those tasks on the sixth day and rested on the seventh, and “God blessed the seventh day and sanctified it,” setting it apart (v. 1–3).

God also did a great work in bringing the Israelites out of Egypt (Exodus 14:31). Another supremely important task, completed by Jesus Christ, was His act to save us from our sins. The Messiah was crucified, and as He was dying, “He said, ‘It is finished!’ And bowing His head, He gave up His spirit” (John 19:30). That great task was completed for our salvation.

God’s List—and Ours

There are so many other things God has done that could be mentioned, but the Bible also shows us what God will yet do. It is inspiring to consider what remains on God’s “to-do” list. Unlike us frail, procrastination-prone humans, God guarantees what He will do. He says, “Indeed I have spoken it; I will also bring it to pass. I have purposed it; I will also do it” (Isaiah 46:11).

We can read about the awesome things God will yet do in the end times, especially when Jesus Christ returns to establish the Kingdom of God on earth, putting an end to war, crime, hunger, disease, homelessness, drug addiction, and catastrophes of all kinds. Satan, the evil ruler of this present world, will be deposed and imprisoned (2 Corinthians 4:4; Revelation 20:2–3). Ignorance and false knowledge will be replaced by truth. God will fill the earth with knowledge of His way. These “to-do’s” will then become “ta-done’s”!

An important consideration for us is what is on our “to-do” and “ta-done” lists. Are we following Jesus Christ obediently? Will He be able to say to us, “Well done, good and faithful servant; you were faithful over a few things, I will make you ruler over many things. Enter into the joy of your lord” (Matthew 25:21, 23)?

The fulfillment of many prophecies concerning the “last days” and the end times is on the horizon. God will accomplish His stated tasks and add them to His “ta-done” list.

More on this topic is available in our free study guides, such as Prophecy Fulfilled: God’s Hand in World Affairs, Understanding Bible Prophecy, and The Beast Of Revelation: Myth, Metaphor, or Soon-Coming Reality?—all of which are available at TomorrowsWorld.org and can also be requested from the Regional Office nearest you, listed on page 4 of this magazine.