Job Well Done

I’ve been working on fixing up the family room in my house by tearing down paneling and putting up drywall in its place.  Once I finish, I’ll be putting up new trim and crown molding, changing the outlets, and (with much assistance) installing a new French door.

I can see the picture of exactly what I want it to look like in my head.  Crisp, white trim will line the ceiling and floor.  A deep gray color will cover the walls.  And a few rich, dark accents will make everything stand out.  In my head, it looks fantastic.  And with each step I take in the process, the reality around me starts to look more and more like the vision in my head.  It’s exciting.

Although I’m not in a particular rush to get the project done, I don’t want to be staring at exposed mud and tape in September.  Much sooner than that, I should be able to sit down on the couch with a glass of iced tea in hand and say to myself, “Job well done.”

But sometimes my choices betray my vision.  When faced with the choice to climb a rickety step ladder with a drill in hand or to sit on the couch with a remote, I often choose the couch.  And each time I choose the La-Z-Boy instead of the ladder, I am making a choice to not reach my goal.  I am making a choice to give up my vision for another day.

Why would I ever purposely choose to give up my goals?  Why would anyone allow a good, attainable vision simply slide out of reach?

The truth is that we wouldn’t.  We would not so easily give up our dreams if we kept them in front of us.  The problem is that our dreams fall into the background, overshadowed by a hazy fog of ambivalence or pushed to the side by bright flashing distractions that surround us.

We know that we can’t put up drywall while sitting on the couch.  We know that we can’t lose weight by eating donuts.  We know that we can’t advance in our careers without learning new skills.

And we know that we can’t follow Christ without actually doing what he says.  We know that we can’t make disciples if we never speak the truth.  We know that we can’t grow in our relationship with God without reading his word.

We know these things.

But often our actions do not match our goals.

So what’s your goal?  What’s your vision?  Are you making the choices today that will make that vision a reality tomorrow?

Someday soon, I want to put the ladder away and say to myself, “Job well done.”  But more than that, someday soon, I want to hear Jesus Christ say, “Well done, good and faithful servant!  You have been faithful with a few things; I will put you in charge of many things.  Come and share your master’s happiness!” (Matt. 25:21 & 23).  Am I living today in a way that will make that a reality?