Deadlines have you living like it’s Hump Day every day?
There are two ways to perceive your deadlines. One enslaves you and in the other is freedom.
- You’re dead to all things until it gets done.
- You trust God where he has you and leave the results to him.
I would venture to say that we all tend to live in the first reality. And it reeks of the flesh. It’s the tried and true, pull up your bootstraps and get her done! Hunker down, batten down the hatches or white knuckle it and get it done! Right? At what cost? Hmmm. Is there another way?
Yes. It’s the second way to perceive our deadlines. We must first check to see if it’s a deadline God has for us. If it’s not one he’s called us to, but is nevertheless upon us, we can still navigate with his grace. If it is a deadline he’s called us to then we all the more have his grace to sustain and energize our efforts.
Whether it’s a deadline God has called us to or not, we all tend towards number one because it’s natural to us. We see people all around us operating with the first perception. I want to ask you a question. Have you seen anyone model the pressure of deadlines with the second perception? What I mean by that is; are there people in your life who walk open handed before God with their efforts? Where they seek God and pray over everything and leave the results to God?
There’s a missionary that I’ve listened to who shares transparently about his walk. God did a miraculous work in his life on the mission field. And that work happened over a lifetime. Once God worked in one area it would expose another area that needed work. Throughout it all he learned to walk, God’s way in all things. Otto Koning is his name and I’ve returned to his teachings, again and again. I highly recommend his teachings to you. You can find them here, https://embassymedia.com/series/pineapple-story-series He’s most famous for the Pineapple Story but I love all his teachings and recommend them all.
For now…just pause. Ask God to confirm you’re calling and walk, Romans 12:1-2. Walk with him. Seek him in all you do. Communicate with him 24/7. Ask him to establish the work of your hands, Ps 90:17. He does not leave us. He asks that we seek him in all things. When we’re doing that his peace comes as your perspective becomes eternal.
If you’re in an area you’ve stumbled into he will still be gracious and lead you out of it. The prescription is the same as above. He will lead you out and give you reassurance as you glorify him. Jonah was in a whale because of his own doings. Martha was told Mary had chosen the good thing. In both situations they sought God. God answered. Perspectives were changed. And I would venture to say they walked less and less in their flesh when deadlines were upon them. May we learn from them! Lord please help us!!!
Remember, deadlines or not, Friday is a comin’ but most importantly Christ is coming back too!