DO AND ENTRUST

Have you ever gotten up in the morning, utterly sad? Perhaps from a bad dream? Or the anniversary of a loved one’s death? Or a physical ailment which just won’t go away?

Sometimes it seems a mystery how to climb out of that Slough of Despond. Yet right there in Scripture is the answer: If we commit ourselves to God and keep doing those things He has directed us to do, He will lift us up.

A wonderful thing can happen if we heed God’s words to us. As we go about doing our heavenly Father’s business, the black cloud will begin to lift. He may begin to show us why the sadness had engulfed us - yet it may no longer matter so much . . . we are busy . . . enjoying what God has given us to do.

Therefore let those who suffer according to God’s will do right and entrust their souls to a faithful Creator. I Peter 4:19

Heavenly Father, thank You that You know the why of any sadness. Please help me to hear Your promptings to do good to others no matter how I feel. In Jesus’ name. Amen.

DO IT NOW

Have you ever found yourself procrastinating - putting off something until another day? Of course you have, we all do it. Whether it is a task at home (cleaning out an overflowing closet), at work (putting off a project) or in our spiritual lives (I'll get around to loving my neighbor - later), the habit of procrastinating can have serious repercussions in our characters.

According to Joseph Ferrari & Timothy Pychyl, procrastination represents a problem of self-regulation. Time is squandered as a person tries to duck away from the responsibility they know they must meet.

How does a procrastinator operate in the spiritual realm? I can just see it. The Lord gives you something specific to do - big or little - and the task is pushed to the background in one's life day after day, only accomplished when one is pushed to do it by outward circumstances.

Perhaps God continues to speak to you about a certain action He needs you to take but you put it off . . . again and again. Eventually you get around to doing it - maybe. To do something on your own terms, when you choose to do it, when you feel like it, when you think it is important to do - is not obedience to God at all.

Can God trust a person who is not actively listening for His daily commands? Can He trust a person who may or may not get around to doing something He wants done - now?

Let's be as Samuel in the Old Testament who had his heart and ears attuned to God's voice by saying, "Speak, Lord, your servant is listening." I Samuel 3:10

Then let's run with swift feet to obey the Lord promptly - at home, at work, in the neighborhood, in the marketplace. God will be smiling, confident that obedience is being built into your character. Obedience to God is an essential quality of good character.

"I will hurry, without lingering, to obey Your command." Psalm 119:60

Heavenly Father, please instill in me the desire to hear Your voice immediately and to obey You immediately - to Your glory. In Jesus' name. Amen.