Getting Around to It

I was once having a conversation with one of my nephews who said, "I really need to do something about my procrastination, but it's not happening this year."

And with that he summarized an attitude that so many of us have.  Why do today what we can put off until tomorrow.  Most of us are guilty of selective procrastination.  We don't put off everything, only those things that are hard or not that much fun.  For instance if you have a large project that needs to be done, whether that project is for an employer, a teacher or self imposed yard work, it is easy to put it off.  We don't put off eating lunch or watching youtube videos.  We put off the project.  We do this because either it is overwhelming or we just would rather eat and watch youtube videos.  And let's be honest, who wouldn't.

And if we are reluctant to get started on the yard work, how much more does it apply when we are talking about major life changes.  We need to exercise more, eat better, worry less, or what ever else is on our personal to do list.  It's just hard to get started.  These are major life changes and there are reasons that we don't although we know that we should.  Our default position is the one we are in right now and making a change requires us to go beyond what we are predisposed to do.

That's why New Year's resolutions are so popular.  They are like 1, 2, 3, jump.  Now is the time so let's get started.  But that is also why so few New Year's resolutions provide real life changes.  If we aren't ready to make the big change then arbitrarily starting on January 1 won't make the difference.

Which brings us to the brief exchange in Matthew 8 between a man who wanted to go and bury his father before following Christ.  Jesus told him to let the dead bury themselves and to be a follower now.  This is a hard passage and one that a little more context would help with.  

We know that if you surrender your life, then your walk with God is part of everything that you do.  It is part of your profession, your free time, your relationships and even the burial of your parents.  I think that Jesus was saying that you are in or you are out.  If your top priority is the events of this world then it will never be your calling from God.  If we aren't going to follow God now, then when?

Watch this clip from Pastor Chris.

God is calling us to be followers today.  We can put it off and wait for things to be right, but that isn't the call.  God is prepared to use us where we are and grow us in the direction to follow His plan for our lives.  We just need to decide if we are in or we are out.  And there in no need to put it off.