I must stop talking and get back to doing

Scripture: Acts 17:21

(All the Athenians and the foreigners who lived there spent their time doing nothing but talking about and listening to the latest ideas.)

Observation: I’m skipping this section today.

Application: I don’t know much about these people, except that they were idol worshippers, worshipping a whole collection of things, including an unknown god. They were curious, though, and wanted to know what Paul had to say about Jesus, and also who their unknown god might actually be. In this case that was a good thing because they needed to hear the Good News. But I get the impression they were a bunch of talkers, and not necessarily doers.

Hmmm.

I am stuck in a swamp of no motivation. I know what to do. I have a plan (okay several) on how to do it, yet I am a jumbled mess. Perhaps I have unrealistic expectations on what I can do and what I should do.

Today I decided to drop the kids at school, come home and pray about all this mess. I wasn’t going to attempt anything on my own until I took it all to the Lord and asked His guidance. I prayed and I journaled and then I did my reading, hoping (and partially expecting) some wisdom to jump out at me and say “Hey, Amy, here’s how you should accomplish all your tasks… and, by the way, here’s some magic motivation for you, too.”

That didn’t happen.

This is what I got instead.

Maybe He is telling me to stop trying to figure out how to get my jobs done and just GET TO IT.

Reading and discussing ideas on how to clear the clutter (from my body, my house, my car, my relationships) is not going to clear the clutter. Getting up from the computer and the book and whatever other information gathering device I chose and taking action is going to move me closer to where I need to be.

So, once I post I’m off. I am going to get things done. I am not going to draw out a plan or consult the internet for better ways to do it. I’m just going to jump in and get moving. And hopefully that will help me to continue clearing the garbage.

Prayer: Lord, I need your help. Move me from talker and planner to doer. Guide me today in taking action and making a change from this slug I’ve become and into a motivated daughter of Christ, ready to serve you, my family and whomever else you put in my path. Put that fire in me today so I will be motivated from my actions today. I need to get back on that train and you can put me there. Don’t let me get in my way any longer! And if there are others out there who need a reminder to get going today, give them a shot of motivation as well. Don’t let us waste time in idle chatter and information-gathering. Empower us to serve joyfully. Thanks.