Monday, April 26, 2010

Making Excuses vs. Making it Happen

Some people will just never learn. I've been this person, a lot.

You know who I'm talking about. Those "dreamers" you encounter who have a million ideas, but no direction and lack an action-packed day. They sit and look up at the sky, waiting for motivation. The perpetual bump-on-a-log, who simply comes up with schemes and never takes a single step toward the completion of their goal. You talk to them about what they want to do with their lives, and instead of listing accomplishments and explaining their direction, you ask questions and they use the word, "but" more than any other word in the conversation.

In the lovely dent on their couch, giving a "Whoop, whoop! You go, Oprah!", they never seem to really get out and experience anything of value when it comes to hard work.

True, sometimes that is all we CAN do. After a major traumatic event, when we question life as we know it, and have a hard time just getting out of bed in the morning.

It is also true that sometimes all we know is what God does NOT want us to do, and we are forced to sit and wait for an answer for our direction. These times our heart grows in patience and love for God, if we focus on Him. It eventually increases our strength and faith for when we need it most, the period in which God has us working tirelessly toward some end.


I have the utmost respect for the "doers" (as the Home Depot puts it) in our world. Regardless of circumstance or difficulty, they analyze their situation, do what they can, and put one foot in front of the other.

This is the main difference between those that make it happen, rather than making excuses. Taking life one step at a time, and for the believer, doing exactly what God lays on our hearts.

The immeasurable joy that comes from following the path that God lays out for us is surprising. Especially when we follow his long-term plans. Day by day, minute by minute, our heart grows and expands. It is more able to handle hardship, disappointment and pain. It is also more responsive to beauty, goodness and joy - in exponential bounds.

Lately I've been reflecting on my path thus far, and the accomplishments I've managed to eek out, and I'm thankful. I am far from perfect, and will be growing and changing until the day I die, but I am content in watching God's work in my life and the lives of those around me, waiting on His answers and quietly listening for His direction when it is given.

As I've been saying over and over again in my heart lately, "God, you totally rock."

Now, although I still don't accomplish this every day, I set my sights on a simple goal - to just put one foot in front of the other to make my God-given goals happen, one day at a time. :)

3 comments:

  1. I love it! I always love what you write!!!!!!!!

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  2. Faith in action is a beautiful thing.

    WokeUp40

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  3. Thanks, Christi! WokeUp40 - I completely agree. :)

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