What’s the Hold-up?

I know over the past few weeks, I’ve been talking about the losses in our family and how I don’t really know how to feel.  Well, we just suffered another one and this one, while not completely surprising, was still devastating.  Several friends have also recently suffered losses or illnesses.  We recently had a major shooting in Michigan. One thing all these losses have really driven home is the need to move forward.  Don’t stay stagnant.  

What is the thing in your life that you’re not moving on?  Salvation?  Career?  Family?  What are you waiting for?  Will you have time to do it if you wait?  We all have dreams and we put them off because we don’t have the time or the money or whatever other excuse comes up.  Well, if not now, when?  If not you, who?  Many times we pray about things or we think about them but don’t take any actual actions to make them happen.  Now I’m not suggesting that any one neglect the responsibilities you’ve created.  Don’t go out and skip paying your mortgage to take that trip you always wanted.  What I mean is that we need to live each day as if it were our last…..time is not promised (Prov 27:1) and we need to stop taking for granted that more time here will be ours.  If you thought you were going to pass away tomorrow, what would be the most important things for you to do? Start doing them.  

There is no time like the present to do the things that you dream of (Prov 6:4)…..as long as they are consistent with God’s will.  The longer you put them off, the harder it is to get started.  There’s a reason some people are super successful and others just talk about what they will do.  Truly successful people may not be the smartest or the best at something, but they do the work…..consistently.  God gives us abilities and talents, but they need development and we need desire and passion for what we’re called to do.  

If there is a lack of funds, take a look at your spending and see what you can give up – start saving that.  If you can’t save from what you make now, see if there are some other jobs you can do and save the extra……don’t spend it on frivolous stuff you don’t need.  Yes, you may want it, but what benefit does it afford you?  Is it just a want so you can be like everyone else?  If so, think about why you want to be like everyone else…..we’re not – this is not our home.  We are a peculiar people (1 Peter 2:9) and we should be focused on God’s will and not conforming to this world (Rom 12:2).  

If you need more time, take a look at your schedule and see where you have time sucks.  Are you playing too many video games? Are you watching too much TV?  Sometimes I am.  What else is keeping you from spending your time appropriately?  Cut the time you’re doing that and focus on the work to do what you’re called to.  While the video games and TV and whatever else you have going on may be fun, are they productive?  If not, stop it.  Dreams are not just handed to you. You have to do the work to grab them.  No time like the present.  Get started and see what you can accomplish…..with God’s help.  With Him, all things are possible (Matt 19:26).