Hey, it’s time for Joni and Friends and thanks for spending these next few minutes with me...
I'm Joni Eareckson Tada and I hope you’re enjoying the brand new year God has led us into. And speaking of new things in the New Year, let me tell you about something that I am changing in 2009. You see, over the last year, I've had this habit in the morning when I get to work -- I like to clear everything out of the way before I start the important stuff. Like those little yellow stick-ems on my computer monitor that look so urgent. Little "post it" notes that I had put there the evening before that demand your attention, so you do them just to start the day with an uncluttered computer monitor? Usually those little post-it notes will remind me of an address I meant to file yesterday, a call I needed to make, or some other small little itsy bitsy thing that won't take but a minute... usually I like to do it, finish it, get it done all before I get the really important stuff started. My morning motto has always been, "As soon as I'm done with these little things, I'll get to the really big things."
Well, over the last year, there were mornings when I never really did get to the big things, for all the little stuff that kept getting in the way! There were days when, around three o'clock in the afternoon, I turned to my secretary with a big sigh, smiled and said, "Okay, now let's get the day started!"
In the same way, I have struggled with many “as soon as” excuses in my devotion to the Lord Jesus. I know you know what I mean. As soon as my schedule clears up, I’m going to begin my quiet time or as soon as I finish this big project, I’m going to visit that woman in my church who's been in the hospital or as soon as we can get our schedules under control, my husband and I are going to start praying together more.
My friend, Pastor Ed Underwood says that for too many Christians, the “as soon as” excuse is more than a struggle—it has become a lifestyle. You probably have said the following at one time or another, like: As soon as I get out of debt, I’m going to start giving to the Lord's work, but you keep on spending every dollar on yourself. As soon as I find a church that meets my needs, I’m going to go every Sunday -- but your needs keep changing as you do what you really want to do with your weekends. You know in your heart that the real reason is not procrastination... it is a downright fear of commitment.
That’s the truth! I’ve learned that tackling things on post-it notes in the morning when I get to work isn't procrastinating; I’m convinced it has become a fear of the really important responsibilities that I need to get done. I'll let myself get sidetracked and so I do the little stuff, because I'm afraid of the big stuff.
So, in this New Year, no more yellow stick-ems on my computer! But if I do write a post-it note, it'll be Second Corinthians 9:9, "God is able to make all grace abound to you, so that in all things at all times, having all that you need, you will abound in every good work." Love that verse, because with the grace of God strengthening me every morning, I don't have to procrastinate and I certainly don't have to fear, and neither do you. Whether in the home or at your place of work, you have at all times everything you need to abound in every good work, big stuff or small stuff. Oh, and before I go, don’t forget to visit me today at joniandfriendsradio.org because it’s your last chance to get your copy of my little booklet “Speaking to God in His Own Language” as you tackle the big stuff in your prayers for 2009. Don’t procrastinate… take a minute right now to click on joniandfriendsradio.org and I promise I won’t put your request on a little yellow stick-em. I'll get your copy of “Speaking to God in His Own Language” in the mail to you right today, so let’s just do it, get it all done in 2009.
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JONI AND FRIENDS
P.O. Box 3333
Agoura Hills, CA 91376
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