Wednesday, June 2, 2010

There's No Time Like The Present


I have a confession to make. I’m a procrastinator! Wow, that feels a lot better! I’ve put that off for far too long. See what I mean?




I’m at this point with the Lord right now where He’s pointing out all the “little things.” Let me just say, it ain't no picinic!  If I can be honest here, I’ve always treated the “little things” as no big deal. You know, “little things” like envy, covetousness, jealousy, gossip, laziness, perfectionism, pride, worry, impatience, and, yes, procrastination. These are the actions and attitudes I can usually hide from others. Even if I slip and let an attitude of pride or, perhaps, impatience be seen by others, I can cover it well with excuses like, “I’m a little stressed!” or “I just needed to vent!”



But, what God has shown me recently is how destructive these “little things” are to my relationship with Him. Imagine ingesting poison. From the outside there may be no visible signs of trouble. But, on the inside, your body is being destroyed, eaten by the poison. Sin is a poison! Whether or not we can see its effects with our eyes, it destroys us from the inside out.



Procrastination is not a sin…unless!!! When procrastination hinders my walk with the Lord, it becomes a sin.  (Ouch!  That one hurt!)  Time is a gift from God. Just like money, talents, and abilities, time is a blessing which requires stewardship. If I make procrastination a habit, then I am not being a good steward of the time God has given me.



I’ve excused my little habit all of my life as “just part of my nature.” My mantra has been, “Why do today what can be put off until tomorrow?” Well, the jig is up! God has called me out on this “little thing”, and He’s not having any more of it. He’s made it clear that, if I’m going to be used by Him and continue to grow in my faith, procrastination has to go!



I’m sure you can guess what my initial response was.  "Yippee!"  “Does it have to be today, God?” But, honestly, I’m thankful that He is calling me to this higher standard. I shudder to think of all the time I’ve wasted over the years because of my procrastination; the opportunities I missed to serve Him.



It’s not going to be easy to give up this life-long habit, but, thanks be to God, I don’t have to do it alone. The fact is, I can’t do it! Jesus will do it through me, as I seek to obey Him wholeheartedly.



Proverbs 15:19 KJV

“The way of the slothful man is a hedge of thorns: But the way of the righteous is made plain.”



Proverbs 15:19 NLT

“A lazy person has trouble all through life; the path of the upright is easy.”

1 comment:

Playing Sublimely said...

I can tell I like you...so very nice ot meet you :)!

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