“You’ve completed it already?”
I smiled as I read the email from my chief of dermatology. I was tasked to complete a project for our dermatology residency program. I was part of a group of five other faculty members and the due date was in a week. However, I was aware that the sooner I completed my portion of the project, the sooner my chief could begin working on the next phase. Over the next two days, I spent every free moment completing the task, to the delight of my chief.
I learned a long time ago that I never want to be the rate limiting step with any assignment. When I was in elementary school, I experienced a painful lesson. I procrastinated on a homework assignment until the weekend before it was due. When I finally started, I discovered that it would require a trip to the public library as well as visiting several local landmarks to complete it. The library was closing early for repairs and several of the landmarks were open for limited hours on Saturday only. My father and I scrambled to get the necessary references and visit the landmarks. We barely finished on time and upon completion, my father reproved me. “Someday, other people may be relying upon you to complete your assignment in a timely manner. This time it was only you, the next time, your entire team may suffer.” Lesson learned.
What about my spiritual life? Am I the rate limiting step? My inclination is to bolt forward with my decisions instead of waiting for God’s directions. While I could never be criticized for procrastination, a more serious issue emerges. Acting upon my impulsive nature exposes my lack of faith in God’s promises. This is the opposite of what God asks of all believers.
Yet those who wait for the LORD will gain new strength; They will mount up with wings like eagles, They will run and not get tired, They will walk and not become weary.
Isaiah 40:31 (NASB)
As a child of God, Jesus Christ needs to be my rate limiting step. Instead of forcing my solution for a situation, I need to wait on my Lord, seeking His direction and guidance rather than acting on my own volition. It is not easy to undo years of compulsive behavior but I am not doing it alone. God, through His Holy Spirit, empowers me to gain new strength. Slowly I am learning that when I wait on the Lord, He is able to do all things exceedingly and abundantly beyond all that I ever ask or think.
Amen!
Love and trust in the Lord; seek His will in your life.
The Bereans Blog 