DO IT NOW

May 20, 2001

Mark 14: 3-9

Especially when I was younger, I had a tendency to put undesirable things off.

If I had several tasks to do, I would do the things I liked to do first, then get around to those other things.

If I had a list of people to talk to, I would usually talk to those whom I liked first, then find all kinds of reasons why I should wait to talk to the others, I found it more difficult to talk to. I would worry and burn up all kinds of unnecessary energy doing this.

Well, I think I’m a lot better about this now. 

Oh, I’ll still procrastinate at times. But I’m much better at this now.

I think procrastination is a common problem with many don’t you?

And it’s not just about putting off the little things, it can be about putting off things that are very, very important in our lives.

For example, I see this with some people who stay in the wrong jobs all of their lives.

They’re never happy with what they are doing. And they always talk about finding other kinds of work where they might be more fulfilled. But they never do it. 

I’ve seen people stay in jobs for 20, 30, 40 years and never find any fulfillment in what they are doing.

Now, to be sure, finding meaningful work is no easy task. It’s hard work and it often takes great patience and a lot of trial and error.

But there has got to be something better than staying in work that brings one no sense of satisfaction and fulfillment.

Back to my point.

Many who have great feelings of dissatisfaction with their work, and talk about doing other things,  never do it. They put it off, and off and off. They’re afraid to launch out and try something new. It’s too scary, too risky. So entire lives are spent in places that people should never be.

Now, a word about another area where people procrastinate.

It’s in the area of serving others or putting it another way, the area of giving back a little of what we’ve been given.

How many people read about the plight of children in the newspaper or watch some of the stories about children on TV and think, boy, I’d like to work with kids some day. But they never do it.

Or how many people are unhappy with some of the our elected officials, or with some of our unjust laws and public policies, and think…you know, during the next election, I’m going to do some volunteer work to see that the right people get elected…but it just never happens.

There’s this wonderful song I ran into a few years ago. It was written by             .

The chorus goes like this…

It’s not what you’ve been born with

It’s what you choose to bear

It’s not how large your share is

It’s what you choose to share

And it’s not the fights you dream of

But those you really fought

It’s not what you’ve been given

It’s what you do with what you’ve got.

For example, it’s this thing about seeing people in need, seeing injustices, seeing things we know need to be done, and being deeply moved, but never really getting cranked. Putting it off. And the next thing we know, its years later, decades later, and nothing has been done.The next thing we know, we’re looking back on our lives. We dreamed about fighting, but never fought.

One more thing this morning and it might be the most important thing I say.

Let me get into this by telling you about an unforgettable trip I just took.

Jeri’s mother had her 80th birthday on May 14, and in looking forward to it, Jeri and her sisters thought about how they might make their mom feel special on that day. So they decided to set up a trip for her to Las Vegas and they invited family and friends from all over to join the celebration. 

Family and friends came from all over. 

The girls ordered a nice suite for their mom. 

On May 14th we had a wonderful, large buffet lunch, then we all went upstairs to continue the celebration. Jeri had written a sort of “This is Your Life” letter for Mom and the rest of the afternoon was spent in singing pre 1950 songs and people giving tributes. Mom’s name is Josephine, so my task was to do a solo of the old song “Josephine.” 

People were there whom mom hadn’t seen in years, praising her and embracing her.

Most of the time I was positioned over in a corner of the room, so I had a good view of Mom. 

I wish you could have seen her face as everything was going on. To say she was happy is such an understatement. At times she was overwhelmed. The sisters had accomplished their purpose….they had made their mother feel like she was one very special human being.

So what am I saying here?

Just this.

One of the biggest ways people procrastinate, is to not let others know how they love them and appreciate them.

One of the greatest things we put off, is letting others know how special they are.

What is there in us humans that causes us to be so stingy in expressing our affection?

What is there in us humans that gives us 20/20 vision in regard to each others imperfections, but 400/400 vision in regard to the beauty that’s in each of us?

What is there in us humans that makes us think we’re always going to have time to let people know how much we care about them? We’ll get around to it. 

Or we’ll  get around to making amends. Or we’ll get around to saying we’re sorry. Or we’ll get around to offering our forgiveness. Someday.

But in so many cases, someday never comes.

We have such a limited moment of time with other, and then it’s gone.

Why do we horde our affection and our love? What are we saving it for?

Do you remember how the woman came to Jesus one day and anointed him with very expensive perfumed oil?  And some who were there were upset by what she did. 

But do you recall what Jesus said?

In essence he said…It’s a beautiful thing that this woman has done. After all, you’re only going to have me with you for a little while.

Let us pray……

Dear Lord, what is there within us that causes us to put off the things we know we need to do?

Some of us spend our time in jobs that bring us no satisfaction, yet we never do anything about it.

Some of us dream of being of real service someday, but we just keep dreaming.

Some of us hold back our affection from others thinking that we’re going to have each other forever, and there are so many around us who never know how special they really are.

Dear Lord, give us the strength and courage to do what we need to do. Help us to be people who not only hope and dream, but people who act.   AMEN