Well…it’s Monday again. You know what that means? A notepad flips open to the next empty page. A pen hangs over the page with a sense of anticipation and dread. Nothing has been written, yet I can already see the words I must write down…To-Do List. Every week, I meet with the same paper and write out my goals for the week, what I would like to accomplish, and what I must accomplish. Every week, there is the dreaded transfer of things not crossed off from last week’s list to this week’s.
I recently shared a favorite quote of mine from Benjamin Franklin in a sermon that states, “Time waits for no man.” All of us struggle with the temptation to procrastinate what is hard, uncomfortable, or most important to do. Merriam-Webster defines procrastination as “intentionally putting off doing something that should be done.” While there is an accomplished feeling from crossing things off my list each week, I typically know a hierarchy is built into this list. Some things will require much more willpower, discipline, emotional energy, etc.
I’m sure you have found yourself in similar situations. Needing to have a challenging conversation, complete a project that is not in your wheelhouse, or something of the like. Often, I find myself depending on my own unction to try to overcome these hurdles in life. However, God has not left me high and dry in this most practical area of life. God has given me everything I need for life and godliness in His word…not procrastinating sounds like a godly thing. Don’t you think?
James gives us some sound wisdom for the plight we find ourselves in.
13 Come now, you who say, “Today or tomorrow we will go into such and such a town and spend a year there and trade and make a profit”— 14 yet you do not know what tomorrow will bring. What is your life? For you are a mist that appears for a little time and then vanishes.
James 4:13-14
Notice this warning from the Scriptures! You and I are prone to act as though we are entitled to tomorrow to mend that broken relationship, to get that one hard job done, to kill that one sin in our lives, or to stop working so much and spend more time with family. The Bible says I am arrogant when I act as if tomorrow is promised. Do I not realize my life is not my own? I am not sovereign over my life. I am not the sustainer of my existence. God is! We are a flash in the pan here on Earth, and it is time for us to start acting like it.
What does the Bible prescribe instead of proudly presuming tomorrow?
15 Instead, you ought to say, “If the Lord wills, we will live and do this or that.”
James 4:15.
Everything we do should be done according to God’s Word, for God’s glory, and in submission to His absolute and perfect authority. Here is the critical question you and I must ask ourselves, “If the Lord does not give me tomorrow, would I still continue with my current plan/schedule?” When my to-do list is staring me in the face, it is easy to knock out all the small or easy tasks. What is not easy is coming to terms with the fact that I am not the master of my life, and I may only have a little time to accomplish as much as I can for Christ in this life.
If you and I are to put to death the procrastination that so easily entangles us, we must follow Paul's exhortation to the church in Ephesus.
15 Look carefully then how you walk, not as unwise but as wise, 16 making the best use of the time, because the days are evil. 17 Therefore do not be foolish, but understand what the will of the Lord is.
Ephesians 5:15-17
The foolish waste their time…and may I say I can feel the conviction in my own soul as I write those words. I do plenty of good things when I know the most important thing I should be doing is not getting done. It is God’s will that you and I make the best use of the time. The Greek word (making the best use) means “to take advantage of the present time.” We have been given such a great privilege. There has never been greater access to the truth of God’s Word. There have never been more prolific writings describing the truth of God’s Word. There has never been the ability for travel, comfort, security, or outreach that there is today.
So, do we look at our list of to-do’s and despise the more challenging aspects of it, or do we thank God for all of the ways He has enabled and prepared us to battle these things head-on and ask Him to help us to make the most of this day He has given us by attacking our divine to-do list? You only have one life to live for your King! What will you do with today?
May God bless your week as you seek His kingdom first!
Grace and Peace,
Pastor Dan
Comments