Just do it already…
How often do we put off doing something? We tell ourselves we aren’t ready, or now isn’t the right time. How about I could never do that, or even I’m not the right person for that. We lie to ourselves constantly when it comes to trying something new.
Just think of how many businesses never get started. Ministries that never come to be. Songs never sung. Books never written. All these things should come to be at the time they are put on your heart.
This week I was listening to my favorite podcast, Next Level Podcast with Michael McIntyre. He talked about how God blesses movement, not perfection. The light bulb went off in my head as he was expanding on the concept. We often wait for the perfect time, perfect situation, perfect setting, etc. before we act.
Being honest, I used to be the one who had no self confidence to try anything new. I was stuck in the rut of mediocrity in my life. I had dreams and ideas to do better but I always talked myself out of them before they even were fully thought out. I had excuses for every single one of them. None of them were good excuses but they seemed sufficient to me at the time.
When family members would ask why I didn’t try to open my own business or whatever idea it was at the time, I always gave them excuses and there was no way they would change my mind about them. I lied to myself constantly that I was not capable of more.
Later on, I realized those thoughts were all lies. I had been keeping myself shackled in a small box for no reason all of theses years. My eyes were opened to the simple fact that God blesses action even if it’s not perfect.
1 We can make our own plans, but the Lord gives the right answer. 2 People may be pure in their own eyes, but the Lord examines their motives. 3 Commit your actions to the Lord, and your plans will succeed. Proverbs 16: 1-3 NLT
I see this passage as saying it doesn’t matter how we see ourselves. God sees our hearts, our motives, our reasons for our actions. If we commit our actions towards something good, something he has put in our hearts, they will undoubtedly succeed. Notice it doesn’t have any other qualifications listed for success. You don’t have to be rich, or smart, or attractive, or have anything that’s has any importance here on earth. You just have to take action with a pure heart, and trust that God is leading you on a path.
That sums up the last year of my life. I started a business, started writing this blog, joined a men’s group at my church, and say yes to every challenge that is placed in front of me if it is something that will build myself or others up.
I am not perfect, even though I strive for it in my job as a machinist. I fail more often than I would like. I have come to realize that I learn in my failures, and as I keep pushing farther and harder, the failures are getting smaller and less frequent.
I heard a good quote the other day in my church group. “God doesn’t call the qualified, he qualifies the called.”
I am seeing the truth in that statement in my life. The more I push myself into uncomfortable situations, the more I grow and realize that I can do all things, just as Phillipians 4: 13 states.
This week I challenge you to quit putting off that dream or idea that God has placed in your heart. Go for it, start wherever you are at, quit putting it off, stop lying to yourself. You got this. Just do it already.
But those who trust in the Lord will find new strength. They will soar high on wings like eagles. They will run and not grow weary. They will walk and not faint.