More than
sixteen years ago a little magazine called “Bits and Pieces” (Published every
four weeks by The Economics Press of Fairfield, NJ) contained a note of
encouragement focusing on three words: can, will, now. The one-page article was
entitled “The Three-Word Success Course”. (January 30, 1997) Though many of the
“bits and pieces” of wisdom come from business sources, nearly all are
applicable to daily life. Such is the case with these three words.
As
individuals most of us have dreams of what could be or at least wish might
be. Some dreams are of the fantasy type such as traveling to a distant star.
Other dreams are of the get down and get dirty kinds. We look at their
possibility and then at the price we would have to pay to make those dreams
come true. We decide that the price is too high.
Some dreams
are impossibilities. Others are possible but come with too high a price. Then
there are those dreams that await our decision to follow that “Three-Word
Success Course.” We can. We will. We will do it now.
Learning a
foreign language is an example. Writing a book that will make a child’s eyes
sparkle with pleasure is one of mine. Such dreams only await the can-will-now
attitude.
Then the
scenario develops. I know I can do it, but there are other things I want to do
more. I will do it, but not right now. Our dreams get pushed to the back until
finally we give up and they slip into oblivion.
A church
often operates with the same mindset. The Great Commission tells us what we
ought to be doing. Too often the first response is that’s impossible. The
congregation looks at its setting, its family make-up, its facilities, its
material resources, and all the other excuses it can conjure. The conclusion is
what God wants us to do is impossible. Let someone else handle it.
A church
might go as far as the next step and say the task is possible, but God gave it
to someone else. “Not my job” is a commonly heard phrase from both church
leaders and the general church membership. The need for the task is recognized.
The personal responsibility for getting it done is not.
The
procrastination path is what will stop many churches in their tracks. The
thinking goes something like this. We know we have been commanded by God to
carry out the Great Commission (or whatever other command) and he will meet all
our needs. When we feel the time is right, then we will make it a priority.
Why would
God ever give us a task for which we are not equipped? Making us look foolish
in his eyes because we depended upon him is not God’s modus operandi. The world
may laugh at us, but God will only be pleased. No, if God gives us a task to
accomplish, he will also have given us all necessary resources. If God says we
can, then we can. (Philippians 4:13)
A slogan I
love is “If we make ourselves available, God will make us able.” Our lack of
availability becomes a challenge for him. We let our agendas get in the way. We
let someone else’s agenda get in the way. We let everything else dictate our
actions EXCEPT God’s plan. When we decide we will do what God desires, we see
his power flow. (Proverbs 3:5-6)
“Never do
today what you can get someone else to do tomorrow.” Personal dreams have no hope
of coming true if we emphasize procrastination. Buenos dias is not such a hard
phrase to learn. Having learned it you can congratulate yourself for having
started to learn a foreign language. The book is started with the first
sentence put on paper. The horticultural hobby begins with a packet of seed and
a single flower pot. (Luke 9:59-62)
You can. You
will. You will do it now. When you do it for his glory, you just put a big
smile on God’s face.
