The Time is Now for Women of Faith to Stop Procrastinating
Ladies, it is a blessing and great privilege to be a child of God. To know the Creator of the universe and the all-powerful Savior that lives within us is a tremendous blessing. Not everyone has been approached with the opportunity to live the heavenly calling we read about in Philippians 3:14: “I press on toward the goal to win the prize for which God has called me heavenward in Christ Jesus.”
With such blessings and privilege come responsibilities. Romans 12:6-8 gives us a glimpse of our duties as children of God: “We have different gifts, according to the grace given to each of us. If your gift is prophesying, then prophesy in accordance with your faith; if it is serving, then serve; if it is teaching, then teach; if it is to encourage, then give encouragement; if it is giving, then give generously; if it is to lead, do it diligently; if it is to show mercy, do it cheerfully.” Two actions are seen in this passage of scripture: use the gifts God has given each of us individually and be passionate in using those gifts.
Some of the things mentioned in the above scripture are also acquired skills. The number of abilities in the multitude of Christian women walking the earth is innumerable. If each Christian woman fulfilled one area of her calling, how many lives would be affected, and how much of an impact would it have on our world?
We need to ask ourselves this question:
What is hindering me from being the productive, effective woman God wants me to be?
Household responsibilities and the never-ending lists of errands, groceries, meetings, and appointments are something we can all relate to.
As Christian women, we also may or may not be aware that the world needs our involvement and influence. However, many of us think we’re stretched too thin to do anything extra. The word “someday” has become our friend, but the condition of our world is compelling us to do our part and to be active in important causes now.
We’re all familiar with the Bible story of young Esther (found in the book of Esther), who was taken from the life she knew and thrown in with the multitude of other women who would compete to become the next Queen of Persia, the new wife of Xerxes. Through the wise counsel of her uncle, additional wisdom and help from God, focused action, and a passion for her people, Esther was put in a position to influence the king and to save her people from being slaughtered.
In 1 Samuel 25:1-25, we also have the story of Abigail, whose husband’s actions would have gotten every man in her household killed if she had not sprung into action. As verse 18 (NIV) says, “Abigail acted quickly.”
Proverbs 14:23 says, “All hard work brings a profit, but mere talk leads only to poverty.” Profit and poverty include money, but both words apply to much more than money alone.
Many of us will agree that our world is lacking in many ways. Many are poor in compassion, integrity, honesty, and judgment. This is happening in places as large as each continent and in places as small as our own homes. In-between places are affected too. Discussing everything that is wrong without working toward a solution can be self-incriminating.
Proverbs 18:9 tells us, “One who is slack in his work is brother to one who destroys.”
Ladies, we must remember what is at stake when we procrastinate being productive in the work of the Lord and in the things that make a difference in our world. Our actions or inactions will impact generations to come.
Those actions include how we raise our children, how we treat our neighbors, and our involvement in thousands of different ways that we can leave a lasting impression on our world.
For those who God is pulling at to start a movement or to be the founder of a humanitarian crisis organization, does the future impact of it draw at our hearts?
Are we considering the words someone needs to read in a book we’re feeling the urge to write?
Do we think about how our musical abilities can bless others when we’re no longer timid to share ourselves?
What about the shut-in who is hoping someone will call to tell them they are loved?
What about the child who is often overlooked for adoption in the children’s home?
Who is thinking of the young mom who wants to learn life skills but needs a mentor?
Galatians 6:9 encourages us with our efforts and hard work: “Let us not become weary in doing good, for at the proper time we will reap a harvest if we do not give up.”
Friends, opportunities are all around us, and the world needs us today! We have one life-one chance-to impact our world. Let today mark the day that we rearrange our priorities, set aside our excuses, acknowledge our abilities and begin our passionate journey of “doing.”
