We live in a culture that gives a lot of merit to the big things of life and denigrates the little things. It’s a culture that idolizes those who do nothing of value and ignores those that literally are saving lives and changing the world. It’s a culture that wants instant gratification, instant food, and instant service.
And in this kind of world, it’s tempting to always be looking for the “BIG” and the “FAST”.
We keep waiting for the big event or for the “moment” that will change our life instantly and put us on the path to wherever it is we have our heart set on being. Until that time, we just apathetically wait (which is often accompanied by quite a bit of complaining).
But life just rarely works like that. Life is made up of few big moments. What all of our lives are made up of, however, are lots and lots of small decisions.
To get to the life we want, we need to make a million tiny and seemingly insignificant decisions that lead to that life.
As a Christian, this takes on an even deeper meaning for us, as we want a life that is pleasing to the Lord rather than just pleasing our own selves and fulfilling our dreams. We desire to live out Colossians 3:17 and 23-24, which encourage us to live our lives with a heartfelt desire to please the Lord in all we do.
Let’s take one small decision, for example…
The daily decision to read the Bible so that we can find out exactly what a life that pleases the Lord looks like.
How easy is it to talk yourself out of this, if you aren’t in the habit of doing it?
Unfortunately, it’s just too easy.
We say things like “I just have so many things to do today; I’ll do it later” but later never comes. Or we say “I listened to a sermon or I did a devotional, that’s enough” or “I did this good deed, I’m sure that counts for something this week” or “one day won’t hurt”. Etc, etc.
We can talk ourselves out of Bible reading so easily.
And that tiny little decision keeps you stuck in not reading your Bible. Because we really do become experts at rationalizing away anything we really struggle to do. Or perhaps things we simply don’t want to do.
We can apply this same tactic to whatever area we are working on or need to change—eating too much, spending too much, gossiping, laziness, procrastinating, selfishness, etc. How often do we find ourselves rationalizing away whatever it is, convincing ourselves that one more day won’t hurt or that we will “begin again” on Monday or even next year?
God has been convicting me that this type of thinking yields only discouragement, apathy, and…well, stagnancy.
Just one little decision—the same one—made every day will eventually yield results. But it’s not instant and that is a hard one for most to us. Change takes time and we need to be patient.
I’m sure my rationalizing days aren’t over but I do think it’s been helpful to recognize rationalizing and excuses for what they are: Tools used to stay stuck in a life I don’t want and—so much more importantly—to stay stuck in a life that is not pleasing to God.
I’m not sure if any one besides me needed to think about this today, but I thought I’d share…just in case.
And whatsoever ye do, do it heartily, as to the Lord, and not unto men; Knowing that of the Lord ye shall receive the reward of the inheritance: for ye serve the Lord Christ.
Colossians 3:23-24