I'm Not Waiting Until Monday

I stared at the new, crisp tennis shoes, imagined the healthy food I should eat, and closed the door to that cluttered room again. Monday was always a better day to start. Monday became my favorite day to begin something new or again after relinquishing the commitment I set for myself. 

As long as I kept my goals far-fetched, they remained unachievable, unreachable, or impossible. I could continue procrastinating until the magical Monday of each new week. My procrastination excuses became extensive, like an unachievable lengthy to-do list. Sadly, I was one of “those people” who had a reason why I could not overcome certain areas of my life. I tried. I failed. There was always an excuse; things never worked out. No matter what. 

I knew deep down what I longed for (God placed each desire for growth in my heart), but each time I got close, I felt paralyzed, crippled by the enormity of change. Quickly, I’d slam the door shut on each new endeavor only to remind myself Monday was a better day to begin.

When we dream of a better marriage or hope to get fit, yet continue to put it off to the golden moment, life slows down, or the following Monday, we’ve let procrastination rear its ugly head. We’re all familiar with this commonly and lightly used word. Yet, it’s debunking our dreams. 

Making changes, moving forward, and addressing why we hide from what we long for is hard. Change creates resistance because Satan plans to halt our progress. Procrastination, an excuse in disguise, will keep us in defeat as long as we continue to wait until the perfect moment as if we’ll live forever.  

No matter our goals, simple or exquisite, we’ll never grow if we constantly make excuses for postponing. Martin Luther clarifies this truth: “How soon ‘not now’ becomes never.” Yet, if God placed the desire in our hearts, and if it’s a desire for healthy growth, we can trust he did, then we have the responsibility to overcome one step at a time. With baby steps, we can show ourselves grace, name the areas we procrastinate in, and begin in small ways. 

“Acorns grow into stalwart oak trees.”

“Fuzzy ugly caterpillars grow into exquisite butterflies.”

“Tiny seeds grow into magnificent flowers.”

What would happen if we showed up and quit hiding? We know the oak tree, butterfly, and flower will flourish, beautify, and expand our world, giving us their exquisite, stunning loveliness like we were made to enjoy them.  

We were made to grow like the oak, butterfly, and flower rather than busily disregarding what truly matters. Every desire for growth comes straight from God's heart. He’s nudging us along, saying, " Grow, my child, grow.”

If we feel called, we must end the excuses. And who isn’t called? We are all called by God…our calling may solely be in home life, parenting, or marriage during this season. Maybe it’s personal growth or simply to treat our bodies as a temple of the Holy Spirit. Is he calling us to cook healthier meals for our family (or cook more at home)? Is he calling us to begin working on a dream? With each season, God is knocking on the door of our hearts, asking us to make space for Him. When we invite Him in, our desires will peak. 

Often, if we’re not growing, we become stagnant. The pool of water in the river that is not flowing gets infested with mosquitoes. The river must move forward. It can’t stand still or is unhealthy. Forward motion can be slow (tiny steps). It doesn't have to be a raging river to be healthy, but it does need to move. We must end the excuses why we can’t move forward today. They will only keep us stuck in stagnation.

Lacing up my tennis shoes and planning one healthy meal is one step toward resisting the excuses I quickly make. I’m not waiting until Monday. What’s one step forward you’re taking today?

“The steps of a good man are ordered by the Lord: and he delighteth in his way.” Psalm 37:23