Procrastination

"Do you not know that in a race the runners all compete, but only one receives the prize? Run in such a way that you may win it.  Athletes exercise self-control in all things; they do it to receive a perishable wreath, but we an imperishable one."  1 Corinth 9:23-25

Before the sun comes up, I often find myself thinking about running for exercise. I imagine myself running through the woods like the wind. This thinking about it doesn't burn me any calories; it doesn't lose me any weight. It doesn't do my body any good. When I rise, I go about morning devotions and then to work. I can usually find a few minutes to exercise in the living room a few times a week. But, I almost always put off the running 'till another day. I do not exercise a lot of self-control or discipline when it comes to physical exercise.

St. Paul compared the discipline runners employ to the discipline that we need to exercise in order to be spiritually healthy so that when we finish the race here on earth we will receive the imperishable prize that has been prepared for us. We do not want any one to procrastinate and say "I'll get to know this Jesus you talk about, later. I'll have more time to follow him after I retire. I'll have more time to serve, tomorrow." For procrastinators, tomorrow rarely comes. Tomorrow may be too late. Today is the day to get to know Jesus and to live in his presence; in his Kingdom.

Jesus died for you. He died so that all people might live in the presence of God our Father for all eternity. What are you waiting for? The time is now. The Kingdom of God is at hand.

God's Peace - Pr. J  

Ephesians 4:17-31 Walk In the Woods

Ephesians 4:17-32

Arvon Township near Big Eric's Bridge
over Huron River

I have been missing my walks in the woods. It is just too cold for me to be trudging through the snow. I am anxiously waiting for spring so that I can take some nice long walks again. My husband walks on the road. I prefer long walks in the woods where the ground is a bit softer and easier on my bones. We both have a destination. Once one chooses their destination one normally keeps going until they reach it unless something intercedes and shows us a better path. Sadly, some don't like to acknowledge, though, that there may be a better path.

If our destination, our goal, is the Kingdom of God then we must follow that path. However, if we choose to focus on the darkness then we will live in the darkness. This is not a temporary condition. It is permanent unless someone or something intercedes before we reach the end of our journey and shows us the path to the light, who is Jesus the Christ.

Paul is attempting, in today's reading, to intercede by reminding us that if our path is directed by the darkness of understanding and we are following in the ways of the world rather than as Christ would have us live, we ought to change the way in which we live. We ought to turn around and get on the path that leads to eternal life. As Christians we have been taught to put off our old self, with all of its deceitful desires and to put on the new self, created to be like God in true righteousness.

Life is in many ways like a journey through the wilderness, a walk in the woods. Please, do not be deceived. Keep your heart and mind focused on your destination; the destination that can only be reached through Jesus Christ, our Lord. Stay on the path that he has prepared for you.

God's Peace - Pr. J