Waiting to Procrastinate
But the one who looks into the perfect law, the law of liberty, and perseveres, being no hearer who forgets but a doer who acts, he will be blessed in his doing. James 1:25
It took me three years to get a new rug. The old rug had been worn through from repetitive use for several years. I would only think about it when someone was coming or company was visiting and sitting right where the bare spots were.
A few weeks ago, I went and got a new one. It was a process. I brought samples home and decided on one that was close enough to the right color. When I got the big one home, it was not close enough. I had to take it back and go to another store to find one that matches.
I don’t mind change, but I hate to shop. Now, I walk through the living room and am relieved. I enjoy seeing a rug that is new and not worn, even the color is a much better match than the one that has been there since we moved.
Why do we (why do I) wait so long to do the minor things that, though irritating, bring such relief, and even joy?
Complacency is a powerful de-motivator. There was something there so I was fine with letting it wait. It wasn’t hurting anyone, right?
How often do we think the same way about far more important things? It is easier to leave things as they are than it is to take steps to change them.
I am thinking about things like, loving our neighbors (Matthew 22:36-40), visiting the widow and the orphan (James 1:27), serving one another (Galatians 5:13), encouraging one another (1 Thessalonians 5:11), and practicing hospitality (1 Peter 4:9). God’s Word (the one we should be reading every day) commands us to do all of these things. I have intended to do them for a long time.
But, like my rug, some are waiting for me to act.
The hard part is the first step; picking up the phone to make a call to the widow or to get information about how we can serve our orphaned neighbor, encouraging someone in a time of need, or practicing hospitality. These may be things that are out of our comfort zone or even require work or time.
God blesses obedience (Deuteronomy 11:27). In all these things that He commands, we are not the only one to receive the blessing. The person we serve; the widow, the orphan, the recipient of our hospitality, all receive a blessing, too.
If you understand my joy in a new rug, imagine the blessing God will give us when we obey His command with something more important than my visitors seeing the bare floor beneath that rug.
What is He calling you to do that you have procrastinated doing? What is the first step you should take?