Most of us procrastinate. If something is uninteresting, overwhelming, or unpleasant, we often put it off. Sometimes it is hard to recognize that there will never be a "perfect" time to do the things we envision; and we will always be tempted to delay doing what we need to get done. Ecclesiastes 11:4 reminds us, however, that "those who wait for perfect weather will never plant seeds; those who look at every cloud will never harvest crops"(New Century Version).

Have you found yourself putting off projects that need to get done?

Do you dream about one day doing things that could be done today?

English playwright James Albery wrote:

He slept beneath the moon;
He basked beneath the sun.
He lived a life of going-to-do;
And died with nothing done.

There are few things more common than buried potential. Graves are full of visionaries who underestimated the power of today, and always looked forward to the possibilities of tomorrow. Psalm 90:12 says, "Teach us how short our lives really are so that we may be wise" (New Century Version).

It is wise for us to be proper stewards of today because none of us are guaranteed the "possibilities" of tomorrow (James 4:14). King Solomon advised:

"...look at an ant. Watch it closely; let it teach you a thing or two. Nobody has to tell it what to do. All summer it stores up food; at harvest it stockpiles provisions. So how long are you going to laze around doing nothing?..."(Proverbs 6:6; MSG).

Let us ask ourselves, "What are we waiting for? Motivation? Resources? Opportunity? Someone to tell us what to do?" Remember, God works through us from exactly where we are – and with exactly what we have. Most importantly, He takes great pleasure in using very little to create a whole lot. 1 Corinthians 1:27-29 encourages that God "chose things that are powerless to shame those who are powerful." And, He chose "things counted as nothing at all, and used them to bring to nothing what the world considers important" (NLT).

Today may not appear to be the perfect time to "plant your seeds"; but when will it ever be? Resources and opportunity will always seem scarce – and motivation will frequently be low. Nevertheless, today is the perfect time to back up our faith with initiative. Michael E. Angler, founder of SuccessNet, once stated, "Ideas are worthless. Intentions have no power. Plans are nothing... unless they are followed with action. Do it now." Today is the perfect time!

Our cry:
Lord, I value today as an opportunity to carry out the vision that You have given me. Like Ecclesiastes 11:4 teaches, I will not wait for the perfect weather to plant my seeds; nor will I allow limited resources, opportunity, or instructions to delay me. Let Your gentle encouragement be my – never ceasing – source of motivation. Today is the perfect time! Please work through me from exactly where I am – and with exactly what I have.

For I am Your Handmaiden. I am Your servant.

Recommended reading:
Psalm 90:12
Proverbs 6:6
Ecclesiastes 1:4
1 Corinthians 1:27-29

Marsha DuCille
Publisher/Editorial Director
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