Home > Christianity, Faith > I Killed My Bucket List

I Killed My Bucket List

I killed my bucket list.

It’s gone.  Never more to rear its ugly head.  I’m through with it.  Done.

The bucket list is gone.

You may be asking, “Why?”  Glad you asked.  I’m here to tell you why.  I’m here to tell you why you should kill the bucket list.  But not before I go Ricky Ricardo and do some ‘splainin.

First, what I’m not telling you is to get rid of a list of things that you would like to do.  If you want to see the Grand Canyon or skydive, though I have no idea why you would want to jump out of a perfectly good airplane, then by all means make a list of things you would like to achieve.  If you want to be a millionaire or drive a racecar or whatever you can imagine, then do it.

Just don’t call it a bucket list.

I’ve called it that before.  I have made a list and called it a bucket list.  Even before the name came around, I had one.  I would say my first one was as a teenager.  When I thought I was saved as a teen, I hoped that I wouldn’t die or that the Lord would come back before I had sex.  I think this is probably how most teens think, by the way.

The problem with using the bucket list thought and terminology is this:  It implies that  nothing beyond this world  can satisfy us like these things can.

It says that nothing in eternity can compare to the Grand Canyon, skydiving, driving a racecar or sex, so you better get it done for you die

It says that life with Christ in eternity will be boring.  And that is, I think,  a way of taking the Lord’s name in vain.  It minimizes all of the promises that He makes us.  It says that He isn’t enough.

So, go ahead and make your list.  Set your goals.  That’s all fine.  If that day comes and the Lord wills it, it will happen.

Just don’t’ call it a bucket list.

How about you?  What do you think about the concept of the bucket list?

  1. February 15, 2012 at 5:31 am | #1

    For the longest time I heard that phrase and had no clue what it was. then I found out. I have not made a bucket list. I live life one day at a time, and try to do it to the max. I enjoy life and take it as it comes. Also, when you try to live life by the Dave Ramsey plan, there are some things no bucket list will ever see fulfilled. :)

  2. February 15, 2012 at 5:54 am | #2

    Bucket list? Loved the movie!

    Do I have a bucket list? Not exactly, but I have been inspired to work on a Life Goal List that may include some things that people would put on their “Bucket List”. Mark Batterson talks about the importance of creating a Life Goal List in his book The Circle Maker (which you should be seeing soon). I’ll be interested to hear your take once you’ve had a chance to go through it.

    • February 15, 2012 at 6:04 am | #3

      That sounds like my kind of list. I think if we look at this list as a stretch of eternity, then cool.

  3. February 15, 2012 at 8:47 am | #4

    No bucket list here…

    but I love how you tied that in to being satisfied with Christ…

    Nothing can even come close to comparing of knowing Christ…

    if i did have a bucket list…it would consist of going on a mission trip…

  4. February 15, 2012 at 10:00 am | #5

    When I first heard that term I had no clue what it was for the longest time. I don’t have a bucket list and I don’t have any desire to make one. I rarely even make goals, although there are things I want to do. I think I’m more presently-focused than future-directed.

  5. February 15, 2012 at 3:58 pm | #6

    Rockin’ point, Larry. I have things that I want to accomplish before I die, but they’re more callings than they are sites to see or notches on the belt. So if God calls me home before I get to do them, then I’d certainly say “to die is gain” in that case.

    • February 16, 2012 at 5:58 am | #7

      A friend of mine said, “What if our bucket list included giving money to the poor or smuggling Bibles to banned countries.”

  6. February 15, 2012 at 10:36 pm | #8

    I get where you’re coming from Larry and it makes sense. Truly, what is beyond this world is greater. For me, I want to do certain things while I’m still here, but not because Heaven won’t be as good. They’re just motivators for me. It’s important to have goals, I think. Goals make you work harder, slack less and not take “no” for an answer.

    I’m satisfied in Christ, but I want to go to Ireland before I die. The two ideas can co-exist. :)

    • February 16, 2012 at 5:56 am | #9

      I still want to things. I think as long as we are seeking those things with the right motivation we’re good.

  7. February 15, 2012 at 10:43 pm | #10

    You are right on. And since heaven is better than sex, it must really be awesome!!! :-)

  8. February 16, 2012 at 12:19 am | #12

    Fantastic thoughts. I need to focus more on the long-term perspective, not the short-term!

  1. February 18, 2012 at 9:16 am | #1

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