A recent post reminded me of a habit I picked up several years ago (I forgot I still do it): inbox zero. I highly recommend this discipline if you love fresh starts and clean spaces. You will feel a sense of peace and rest every time you empty your inbox. (“inbox” in GTD = emails + thoughts + to-dos = “stuff”, as David Allen calls them.) In particular, inbox zero leaves no ambiguity as to what each “stuff” is, thus training one to be discerning and self-controlled, taking thoughts captive.

But any inbox-zero guru can tell you the good side. I on the other hand want to be serious about dangers we as Christians need to watch for. I have fallen for these myself many times.

• Like every system, inbox zero implies rules: thou shall not leave “stuff” in the inbox unprocessed. Danger #1: legalism.
• Inbox zero is customizable to suit your needs – including the need to postpone “stuff” indefinitely. Danger #2: procrastination. (Prov. 6:9-11)
• That sense of accomplishment you feel after cleaning up the inbox – that’s only temporary. Worse, you can get addicted to that buzz. Danger #3: addiction. Closely linked is procrastination, like when I would rather clear their inbox than do what is really important.
• The vision of inbox zero is an eternity of empty inbox, i.e. nothing ever comes. Though we zero our inbox to find rest, if nothing ever comes, we will eventually be restless in the idleness. We are made to work, not to chase after the wind. Danger #4: idolizing idleness.
• Finally, inbox zero is inherently task-oriented; “stuff” has priority. People are intrinsically considered projects, even obstacles to an empty inbox. Inbox zero itself tends to make us love others and God less, not more. Danger #5: unlovingness.

Because inbox zero requires human intervention, it will fail more often than you’d hope. Supplemental danger-prevention systems will have their own danger. In the end, we must get dirty and fight sin, being continuously Spirit-filled, submitting our plans to God who directs our steps (Prov. 16:9), and trusting in Christ by humbly laying our sins at the Cross.

But if you need to be organized, learn from inbox-zero gurus first before you disregard it!