“If you don’t have time for things that matter; stop doing things that don’t.”
author unknown
I’ve been thinking about writing this post for a while now, and I’ve just kept putting it off. This morning I saw a different definition of procrastination and it made me sit up and take notice. Procrastination is the arrogant assumption that God owes you another opportunity to do what you’ve already had time to do.
After more than two years of chaos in our world, procrastination has become something of a habit with me. With each month of “lockdown” it seemed easier to put stuff off “until we can do or go or whatever ” This morning I came to the decision to not allow the chaos of the world to settle within me. True miracles happen everyday, even if the news doesn’t show it. From here on out I’ll choose peace and light, even though I know that wars and pandemics and darkness also exist.
Charlie Chaplin is quoted as saying, “When I really started loving myself, I never gave up my free time again and stopped fantasizing too much about great future projects. Today I only do what brings me joy and happiness, what makes me cheerful and makes me happy, and I do it my own way, respecting my timelines. Today I know this is called simplicity.”
Apostle Paul wrote, “Look carefully then how you walk, not as unwise men but as wise, making the most of the time, because the days are evil. Therefore do not be foolish, but understand what the will of the Lord is.” (Ephesians 5:15-17)
If those two quotes seem contradictory; they’re not!
God lives outside of what we think of as time.
Apostle Peter wrote, “But do not ignore this one fact, beloved, that with the Lord one day is as a thousand years, and a thousand years as one day.” (2 Peter 3:8)
“Just decide to love the heck out of your life
and if you truly can’t,
then you simply must make it more lovable.
Change things around.
Move things out, add things in.
It’s your life.
You can do that.
Do whatever you need to do to get any kind of joy, every day.
And start now, right this minute.
The future is promised to no one, what are you waiting for?
This is it my friend, this is it.” _Donna Ashworth
I’ve said all of the above, to say this:
From more than four decades of experience I understand that it is possible for God’s children to live outside of time with Him. If you were to search my blog for Matthew 6:24-34 you would find dozens of posts pointing to Jesus teaching “seek God’s kingdom and righteousness first — be anxious for nothing — let each day’s trouble be enough for one day” and so on.
While I am ashamed to admit shifting my focus to the events of this current world mess, I know, without a doubt, Jesus meant what He said. If we put our focus on the day at hand, forget what lies behind, and trust in God’s provision for today, there will be a sweetness and a peace that passes understanding.
John, the disciple whom Jesus loved, assured his readers, “as He is, so are we in this world.” (1 John 4:17 RSV) Dear Hearts, Jesus was, is, and will always be, focused on the eternal love, mercy and grace of the Father for those who belong to Him. (I hope you will pause here and read chapters 14 – 18 in John’s gospel in case it’s been a while since you read them.)
Grace and peace on your week, Dear Hearts. I hope you are inspired to move outside of time, into the eternal with God. I know I will be more focused on that aim going forward.
Contentment Cottage 