Considering 'Post'ponement

"Don't just stand there..."

You know what? I could tell you I haven't posted anything in a few days to prove a point about this part of the painting. But, quite frankly, I just put it off. In the words of Ray Romano, "Thaaaat's riiiiight!"

You see this guy, this could be you. Perhaps, you're holding back from helping that person in need right now. Maybe you've been putting off your goals and dreams because of fear of failure or inferiority. Or, just something as simple as putting up the laundry. The point is: we all do it, have done it, or are doing it.... And it's gotta stop! Tomorrow, maybe?

When I was in the 12th grade, my favorite subject was, you guessed it, Art. My art teacher, Mr. Martinez, had this saying - I heard it daily. It came right after I, or my classmates would proudly walk up to the front to show him our completed masterpiece. We'd say, "I'm all done." To which he'd reply, "When you think your done, you're halfway through!" Boy, I hated when he said that. It wasn't till later in life that I really understood what he meant, and it applies to more than just art.

About midyear, he told us about an upcoming national art contest for The Bill of Rights. We had about a month to develop something to turn in. As for me, I put a spin on his famous quote : [I delayed and did nothing]. I had a lot of other important things on my calendar that month.

The day came for him to pack up all the pieces and ship them off to Washington, D.C.
He asked for mine (as he had for weeks) and I just shook my head. He then shook his, as he neatly packed my classmates art pieces together. It was a Friday, and I'm not sure what it was, maybe I felt as if I was being left out; it's not like they were all going on this trip without me. I don't know why, but when I got home that afternoon, I was inspired to put something together. So, I cancelled all my "appointments" for the weekend and locked myself in my room and got to work.

Keep in mind, the deadline had passed - I had an F. So, what was my motive? I know now it was a defining moment. God was setting me up for something great.

On Monday, I brought in the piece I'd just completed that morning to turn in. For some reason, Mr. Martinez felt compelled to send it in individually. Again, he shook his head as he neatly packed it up.

About a month later, I'm in my auto mechanics class, working on the teachers pickup; and in walks my art teacher to inform me of the good news : I was one of the national finalists! Long story - short : I won the national competition in Washington!

I think back and sometimes wonder, "what if?" What if, like the movie of it's time : "Back to the Future" I could have been Marty, my art teacher - Doc, and Biff, well Biff was procrastination, of course! My life would probably look completely different today! Whoah!

I am truly blessed. God set me up then, and He is setting me up now. Be assured, He is setting you up, as well - Something great! He always has been! Will you let Him? [Jer. 29:11]

So, what's holding you back today? Want to break out of it? Here's the formula :

Charles Swindoll said it best, "It's really very simple... all it takes is one word, perhaps the easiest word to utter in our language. It's easy to say, but may require all the discipline you can muster, but when properly used, that single syllable carries more weight than a ton of good intentions. The word is "Now."


[Ecclesiastes 3:1-8; 9:10]