Are You Living Life Deliberately?--Part One

I was tired of being asked, "Why are you so slow?" and "How could you leave your checkbook at home again?" Why? Because these types of questions highlighted the fact that I had messed up again. Basically, they were beginning to negatively impact my self-esteem.

While inquiries like this from relatives or friends would be bad enough, mine actually came from someone I spent even more time with--myself! Fortunately, one of the last times I entered into one of those periods of personal interrogation something different happened. Instead of the questions chipping away at my self-esteem, they led me to a place of reflection where I uncovered the source of my scattered thinking: I was not living life deliberately.

To live life deliberately means to live it "with full awareness of the nature and consequences of our actions, motives and decisions." I believe we're most capable of living a life in which we maximize the gifts and opportunities God gives us--and are able to experience the type of peace and sense of productivity that comes from Him--when we're keenly aware of how we're living.

For me, such things as procrastination, cruising on autopilot, waiting for things to happen (rather than making them happen), and being wasteful kept me from living life deliberately. If you, too, have been struggling with some of the same habits or hindrances, please read on. I'd like to share with you some tips you may find helpful.

Whether you're 20-something or 40-ish, married or single, a corporate executive or a work-from-home parent, you've probably had moments in your life when you procrastinated and put off doing something you knew you needed to do. But, don't worry. You're not the first person to be guilty of procrastinating. Just turn to the book of Joshua in the bible.

It is there that we learn that seven of the Israelite tribes who were to receive the land promised to them by God put off conquering--and taking possession of--their land. In Chapter 18, verse 3, Joshua asks them, "How long will you wait before you begin to take possession of the land that the LORD, the God of your fathers, has given you?" God had already given them all the instructions they needed for success; their next step was simply to obey his command.

We may not be hesitating to move into a spread of land promised to us, but if we let such feelings as fear, self-doubt, or laziness keep us from doing what we know is right in a given situation, we could be delaying receipt of other types of blessings. If we truly want to live full, productive lives, we must get out of the habit of playing catch-up and move ahead with whatever marching orders we've received from God.

Closing Thought:

If you've been putting off doing something that you know is right, don't wait. Decide today that you'll turn to God for guidance and direction about how to handle the situation or circumstance and that you'll seek His courage, strength and peace as you carry out your plans.

Verse of Encouragement:

"For I know the plans I have for you," declares the LORD, "plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future." (Jeremiah 29:11, NIV)