Definition of Uncommon: “Not common or ordinarily encountered. Unusually great in amount or remarkable in character or kind.” I can still hear my high school geometry teacher, Mr. Johns, hammering that quote into our heads. Amazingly, a few decades later, I still can hear and see him telling us as we were late on homework and various other assignments. (not me mom, I was always on time) Procrastination is not necessarily a habit or trait that will be cause for your ultimate downfall, but it does “sap” the gusto for living and life right out from under us.
We would all love to wait for that “perfect timing”. We would all like to be guaranteed success in every new direction we forge, new adventure we tackle, or new career path we move into. As a youth, we want to go to camp, try a new sport, pick-up an instrument to play, or meet new friends. But we caution ourselves, we like our comfort zone, and we like the security of where we are, so we remain. We would love to go off to college, but what about my family and friends? Again our comfort zone. Marriage? Oh sure, that’s for me. But first a degree, a good job, a long relationship, then we will plan the ultimate wedding. Then, we fall in love. What do we do now? How about a career change, or maybe your entrepreneurial juices are flowing. No thanks, I have a good job, I work 8-5, the benefits are great, and I am happy. Or am I?
I truly believe that all decisions, great or small, must be bathed in prayer. That we must wait for God’s timing in our lives. I do also know that many times God has given us the answer. We just don’t like it, at least not yet. Fear creeps in, insecurity overwhelms us, doubt fills our soul, and it’s just a whole heck of a lot easier to say “the timing isn’t right.”
“One who watches the wind will not sow, and the one who looks at the clouds will not reap.” (Ecclesiastes 11:4) Many of us miss the boat of opportunity, the train of success, and the plane of pure exhiliration because we wait. We procrastinate. We believe the timing is not right. Much of this can be summed up in one simple word, Fear.
The Bible is very clear, that God did not give us a spirit of fear. That comes from our worldly view and satan himself. God is clear that we are not to worry about the future, because today is all we are promised. Does he want us to plan? Sure. Does he want us to set goals? Absolutely. But he does not want us to procrastinate what he has laid before us to grab and lay claim to. Grab hold of life and enjoy every minute of every day that God has given us. BeUncommon!
Tip for the Uncommon Man: Plan, set goals, and pray. Then put some wheels on those plans and get moving.
J.W. Oliver Jr. is a weekly columnist who wants to see men’s lives changed, to live an “uncommon” life. His passion is Christ. You can find helpful resources at www.BeUncommon.org and see prior weeks columns. Email him at men@beuncommon.org.
