Coffee With The Lord

I’ve taken some long road trips… Journeying through a lot of different towns, quite a few states, several different highways, lots of intersections… Plenty of opportunities to get sidetracked, take a wrong turn and just plain get lost. Take it from me… even GPS is fallible (I’ve discovered that the hard way)!!

Life is like that. Every day there are plenty of opportunities to take a wrong road! The passage I read in Proverbs this morning identified two ways… “The way of wisdom – the path of the righteous” – and “the way of the wicked.” And the passage recommends an infallible GPS (Godly-Positioning System) and the reliable and accurate map for dealing with life’s twists and turns, poorly marked roads, tempting (but dangerous) pathways and just plain old ruts and ditches – the Bible. Here’s what the passage says…

^“Hear, and accept My words, that the years of your life may be many. I have taught you the way of wisdom; I have led you in the paths of uprightness. When you walk, your step will not be hampered, and if you run, you will not stumble. Keep hold of instruction; do not let go; guard her, for she is your life. Do not enter the path of the wicked, and do not walk in the way of the evil. Avoid it; do not go on it; turn away from it and pass on… But the path of the righteous is like the light of dawn, which shines brighter and brighter until full day. The way of the wicked is like deep darkness; they do not know over what they stumble.” (from Proverbs 4:10–19 ESV)

You know the “rap” on men – on “husbands” and dads – don’t you? They say they are not willing to ask directions or consult a map! Consequently they are continually getting lost and losing valuable time correcting their errors in navigation. I don’t want to be like that on the road of life! Going to pay attention to the Lord! – Going to consult the map – God’s word!

Subversion… Never want to be guilty of it! Always want to have a pure heart, pure motives, and ethical behavior… don’t you?

Here’s what prompted that thought this morning… My Bible reading during my time of “coffee with the Lord”

^“Absalom (David’s son!) bought a chariot and horses, and he hired fifty bodyguards to run ahead of him. He got up early every morning and went out to the gate of the city. When people brought a case to the king for judgment, Absalom would ask where in Israel they were from, and they would tell him their tribe. Then Absalom would say, ‘You’ve really got a strong case here! It’s too bad the king doesn’t have anyone to hear it. I wish I were the judge. Then everyone could bring their cases to me for judgment, and I would give them justice!’ When people tried to bow before him, Absalom wouldn’t let them. Instead, he took them by the hand and kissed them. Absalom did this with everyone who came to the king for judgment, and so he stole the hearts of all the people of Israel.” (2 Samuel 15:1–6 New Living Translation)

Procrastination is a really bad habit! Am I the only one who struggles with the tendency to put things off until “tomorrow”? Stuff that ought to be cared for is neglected, things pile up, little issues grow into bigger ones… My wife scolds me for it (and has every right to)… a memo or e-mail reminds me and I am ashamed… The little thing I neglected now has to be repaired… All of these things the consequences of that thing called “Procrastination”

But this morning during my Bible reading I was reminded of another serious procrastination issue (and it deeply convicted me)…

“Do not withhold good from those to whom it is due, when it is in your power to do it! Do not say to your neighbor, ‘Go, and come again, tomorrow I will give it to you’ – when you have it with you.” (Proverbs 3:27-28)

Now is the time to write that letter of thanks or appreciation! Now is the time for that act of kindness! Now that expression of generosity is appropriate! Now is the time to make that call or drop by for that visit. Now is the time to tell those “special someones” how much they mean to you or express your love to your spouse or children… Don’t wait! Don’t put it off! Do it now! Don’t allow the procrastination of a noble inclination to grow into regret and guilt! We’ve all done it… Today is the time to deal with it.

Just gotta tell you… with the Lord’s help and “nudge” I want to deal with procrastination in my life today! And I especially want to deal with it as it relates to this final issue… “withholding (or postponing) good when it is in my power to do it!” Lord, please help me not to allow procrastination about what is noble and good to become regret and guilt!