Just Doing It

Ugh, the trash is full. Again.

Didn’t I just empty the trash five hours ago? How does that stupid trash can get so full so quickly? Is it because I haven’t learned the proper art of stuffing trash into a full can?

Honestly, if I don’t empty a full trash can, trash will keep popping out and spilling over. Sometimes I let the trash get so full that it topples over onto the floor and makes a mess I have to clean up. Then I have to clean up a mess and empty the trash.

While this is a simple example of how laziness can creep in, I think it’s applicable to every aspect of our lives. It seems everyone has trouble just doing things.

Nike’s motto “Just do it” actually inspired this post. Think about it—if we “just do” the hard things in life, rather than letting fear hold us back, we can thrive.

What’s holding you back? Is it fear?

• Why don’t you just talk to the new girl who’s eating all by herself at lunch? Fear of rejection?
• Why don’t you just share your faith with your coworker? Fear of ridicule?
• Why don’t you just let go of that grudge you’ve held onto for so long? Fear of learning to love instead of harboring resentment?
• Why don’t you just throw away that dress that you’ve naively pretended isn’t too short? Fear of the attention you’ll no longer receive from that cute guy in your class?

Just do it, friends. With God, you can. He is bigger than all your fears.

Instead of the “I’m finally going to be a vegetarian” or “I’m going to spend more time at the gym” resolutions that everyone is tired of hearing about, how about you make a simple “just do it” resolution for 2016? Here are some examples:

• “I’m going to be respectful to my parents.”
• “I’m going to listen to my friends when they talk to me.”
• “I’m going to stop watching that crude movie.”
• “I’m going to read the Bible once a day.”
• “I’m going to stop yelling at my little brother.”
• “I’m going to break up with my boyfriend who’s not a Christian.”

Get rid of the trash in your life that’s toppling over and spilling out and hurting your relationship with God. It’s not complicated. In fact, it’s very simple. Just do it.

If we live by the Spirit, let’s follow the Spirit as well. (Galatians 5:25 NASB)