Right Now!

Are you a dawdler or a dasher?

Do you lag behind or hurry forward?

For me, it depends on what I am needing to do...possibly where I need to do it...and sometimes even, who is asking...selfish, I know....

When my children were in elementary school, we lived about two blocks from the school in a close knit subdivision. On days when my oldest would walk home from school, I would watch for him from a window. Most of his friends that walked with him lived in the first block, so his journey home in the last block was mostly by himself.

I was always in a hurry for him to get home so I could ask typical Mom questions, and make sure he was okay. My son usually took his own sweet time. As I watched him waltz down the sidewalk, he would stop occasionally and inspect a crack in the pavement, or a bug in the grass.

Sometimes he would take a stick and duel with imaginary foes as he walked backwards towards home. Other times, I would see his mouth moving and his head bobbing and I knew he was singing along to the tunes in his head.

My little, “I am not in a rush”, son, always had his own agenda and amusements during the walk home and did not hurry along just because Mom was waiting.

Even though he knew his Momma was waiting with a hug and an after school snack, my sweet little boy still took his time coming home because other things caught his attention. He still got his hug, snack, and playtime, but these things were delayed because he did not come right away.

Sometimes I do this to the Lord.

I know He is waiting on me, with a hug, words to feed my soul, and blessings beyond compare. But my eyes get distracted by other things, and I dawdle in coming home.

Other times, God calls me to do a work for Him. Do I immediately rush forward and say, “Yes, Lord! I’ll do it right now...wherever and whatever You ask.”

Sometimes, I do...and then there are times I am too wrapped up in ME and MY stuff and I DILLY DALLY along and get there in my own sweet time. Or I may question God and say “But...” or ask “What if...”

Those are the moments the Spirit convicts my heart of waiting instead of obeying ....

Passing along the beach of Lake Galilee, he saw Simon and his brother Andrew net-fishing. Fishing was their regular work. Jesus said to them, "Come with me. I'll make a new kind of fisherman out of you. I'll show you how to catch men and women instead of perch and bass." They didn't ask questions. They dropped their nets and followed.

A dozen yards or so down the beach, he saw the brothers James and John, Zebedee's sons. They were in the boat, mending their fishnets. Right off, he made the same offer. Immediately, they left their father Zebedee, the boat, and the hired hands, and followed.

Mark 1: 16-20 The Message

Lord, forgive me for the many times I have lagged behind and moved slowly when I needed to do something right away...help me to have a “right now” attitude and be willing to immediately come when You call. Your timing is perfect, so I give You my hands and feet to direct them in the paths You decide...whenever and wherever. I give You my heart and soul to always be ready to answer obediently and respond immediately...because You alone know how much time we have left here on earth...and waiting until later...just may be too late....