Confession time: I really struggle with motivation lately. 

It kinda comes and goes like the seasons change. Some days, I’m hopeful and I’m able to see the end goal and other days I can barely pick myself up off the couch. 

And this is a real problem right now in a couple of areas of my life. The issue can be dangerous because if it continues, it will eventually impact every area of my life. And I’d be lying if I wrote this blog as if it hasn’t already started in that direction.

There are many days that I wake up and think about all the daunting tasks ahead of me and feel so very overwhelmed about it all that I secretly wish I could hide, somewhere tucked away in our tiny, little house. It’s not that I feel like it’s necessary to hide, but somehow hiding makes it easier to handle life when I don’t want to face anyone or do anything. 

There are floors to be cleaned. Dishes to be washed. Pets to be cared for. Laundry to be put away. Blogs to publish. Groceries to buy, not to mention dinner that needs to be cooked. Bills to be paid. And, most days, all I really want to do is grab a couple of cute pups and give them a big bowl of food that will make their bellies full and snuggle them until Ryan comes home from work. 

Now, come on! I know I can’t do that. As much as I want to lay on the couch with my unwashed hair and binge Dateline all day, snuggling said cute pups, there are things that need my attention. There are people who need my attention. I have responsibilities that I need to follow through with. 

Even if the tasks are overwhelming. Underwear must be washed. Eww!

Even if the anxiety from feeling overwhelmed makes me so sick that I can barely move. Toilets need cleaned. 

So, what, then? What’s the answer? In moments when we feel overwhelmed with our ever-growing task lists, what do we do?

Okay, just to be clear, I don’t have all the answers and I can know what the right thing is and still choose selfishness. In full disclosure, over the last several months, I have chosen to lay low for reasons that I’m not totally comfortable sharing right now. 

But today? Today, this changes with a single step. 

Today, my path changes with one seemingly simple decision. That decision? Tackle one item on my task list that I’ve been putting off, i.e., writing. This blog is me tackling one small task on my list today. 

Now, this may not be the single, most profound thing you’ve read, but I can tell you with certainty that if you’ll focus on one thing today, you’ll be able to lay your head down on your pillow tonight and feel a little better. 

So, I’m not talking about checking off every line item on your task list in one clean sweep, and I LOVE checking items off my task list. Sometimes, I even write things down that I’ve already done JUST TO CHECK THEM OFF. Call me crazy, but it gives me some hope.

Okay, so hear me out. Ignore that massive list of to-dos for now. Just focus on one easy task that you can accomplish today. 

Maybe it’s reading a single page in a book that you wanted to start and just haven’t. 

Maybe it’s sweeping the floor in one room of your house.

Maybe, for you, it’s not even about a task list. Maybe it’s about getting a shower, putting on clean clothes, sitting at the dining table and just soaking up some of God’s presence. Because here’s the truth that I think we can all stand on: there isn’t anything that can’t be redeemed, smoothed over, wiped clean, strengthened, or refilled in the presence of God. 

The psalmist writes this about God’s presence:

You make known to me the path of life; in your presence there is fullness of joy…

Psalm 16:11 ESV

Do you know what makes going through life a little easier? Joy. 

Do you know what makes tackling task lists and to-do lists even easier? Joy.

This scripture that we just read gives us a starting place to find joy—right in the presence of God! In the presence of God, there is fullness of joy. I like that because it doesn’t just say that there is joy in God’s presence, which is true by the way. But the psalmist uses a very specific word here—fullness. Did you know you can’t be full of two things at the same time? It is impossible to be full of anxiety and joy at the same time. One will always have to make room for the other.

So, when you sit in the presence of God, His Spirit will fill you with joy as you pour out the other junk, making room for what God has for you. You could also look at it like this: as God fills you with fullness of joy, it pushes, or drives out all the other junk, making room for the FULLNESS of joy.

In God’s presence, there is fullness of joy. You can tackle what needs to be done today with the help of the Holy Spirit.

Today, I want you to know that I’m praying for you. If you are overwhelmed, or you just can’t quite find the motivation to do the right thing at the right time, then I’m believing that the Lord will put a fire underneath you. I’m asking God to ignite passion in your heart and the ability to do what is necessary even when it isn’t convenient. 

I know the struggle you may feel right now, I have lived it for months. But, there is hope.

And, if you don’t know where to start, I want to encourage you to start by resting. And I know that sounds crazy, especially with the topic that we’re talking about today. 

Okay. So, don’t rest on your own. 

Don’t sit and wallow. 

But instead, rest in the presence of the living God because there is fullness of joy to be found!

So, today, my prayer is simple: Let the Holy Spirit fill you with joy as you attempt to check one item off your check list today. May God take you by the hand and guide you in all that you do. May it not be for your own glory, or your praise, or even for your achievement, but instead, so that God will get the praise that He’s due for leading you through this season.

There’s hope for you to get through the season that you’re in right now.