This is the saying that I have been looking at throughout the month of August on the Mary Engelbreit calendar in our kitchen. The idea being conveyed is that, when it comes to expressing our creativity, we should just start painting, drawing, writing, etc. Get started and do it now! Let's make some spiritual applications of this inspiring slogan.
Are you a "DBR" - "Daily Bible Reader?" Sometimes when we think about daily Bible reading, we think it is something we should start at the New Year. Think again. Start today. There are still four months left in the year. You can read the entire New Testament in four moths! Also, you do not have to start a Daily Bible Reading plan at the book of Genesis. Start reading the book of the Bible that you want to start reading. Then continue on with the next book in the Bible, or the next book that interests you. Begin anywhere... just begin.
Are you praying like you should? Many Christians struggle with praying like they should. We acknowledge the obstacles to our prayer life, but do little to remove them. Start praying now. Don't wait until your schedule frees up or until you have a pressing need. Begin spending more quality time alone with God in prayer (Matt. 6:6).
Are you visiting like you should? "Pure and undefiled religion before God and the Father is this: to visit orphans and widows in their trouble, and to keep oneself unspotted from the world" (James 1:27). There are members of the church, as well as members of our family, that we need to be checking on and spending time with. I fear that many of us will not realize the importance of visiting (checking in on) those who are in need until we become the ones who are in need ourselves. We will regret the wasted opportunities that we had to take the time out of our busy schedule to check in on others. Don't let any more opportunities pass. Begin visiting others today.
Are you serving like you should? The Lord taught that greatness in the kingdom is found in serving others. "Yet it shall not be so among you; but whoever desires to become great among you shall be your servant. And whoever of you desires to be first shall be slave of all" (Mark 10:43-44). Do we possess the heart of a servant, or are we selfish with our time and money? If you will look, you will see there are many different opportunities to be of service to your brethren, family, friends, and neighbors. "And let our people also learn to maintain good works, to meet urgent needs, that they may not be unfruitful" (Titus 3:14). As the words to the old hymn say, "Do not wait to be told, nor by sorrow driven, to the work God has planned for you." Begin serving others today.
Are you dealing with the sin in your life like you should? The last thing the devil wants us to do is confront our sins, repent, and seek forgiveness from God and man. As long as he can get us to close our eyes to sin, rationalize our faults, and put off correction until a more convenient time (Acts 24:25), he has us right where he wants us. Right now is the time to repent (Acts 8:22), confess our sins, and pray for forgiveness (1 John 1:9). Begin making things right in your life today.
"Therefore, to him who knows to do good and does not do it, to him it is sin" (James 4:17). Is there some good thing that you need to be doing? Begin anywhere... just begin.