Nougat 26

As we reflected on the ‘urgency’ of completing tasks on time, one of our frequent engagers, Michelle, pointed to the need for balance and asked that we expound on it. She noted that in as much as we must guard against procrastination, we need to also pace ourselves lest we overcompensate. Let’s think about it some more as we consider Today’s Holy Nougat.

Hebrews 4:7 NIV

[7] God again set a certain day, calling it “Today.” This he did when a long time later he spoke through David, as in the passage already quoted: “Today, if you hear his voice, do not harden your hearts.”

Psalms 37:7 ASV

[7] Rest in Jehovah, and wait patiently for him: Fret not thyself because of him who prospereth in his way, Because of the man who bringeth wicked devices to pass.

Balancing the needs of Today

In reflecting on our Hebrews Nougat, I proposed that we guard against procrastination and presumption. Both are challenges many of us face (perhaps regularly). We noted that procrastination tells us ‘there’s still time’ to complete a task. And they’re usually is. But usually, we did not calculate the time it would take to complete all the components, and so, the remaining time isn’t sufficient to complete All the aspects. What I didn’t mention was that it can result in mediocrity – less than our best.

Ironically, in compensating for our penchant for procrastination, it is not uncommon for us to tip our work habits to the other extreme. Then, we try to accomplish too much in one go, and that too, can be a thief of rest. Yes, siblings, as we’d say in Jamaica, ‘too much o’ one thing no good’. Far often, when we fail to pace ourselves, we find ourselves very quickly on the wrong end of a season of burnout.

Self-Check

So, are we living in God’s balance, or are we doing life at one of the extremes?

Digging Deeper

Our Hebrews Nougat insists that we must attend to God’s gift of Today, i.e., the present. It further insists that we attend to God’s rhythm for our lives. In the poetry of our Psalm, we must rest in God and wait on God’s timing. To accomplish this, there is a sense in which we revert to God’s Creation order. We know that God could have created anything God desired on that First Day. From evening to morning (Son down to Son up), God could have spoken the word for vegetation and creatures to become animate even before light separated from darkness. Or, as the Big Bang Theory implies, God could choose to make everything in one day.

Yet, God chose a six-day cycle, and completed the entire routine with a seventh day of rest. (We also note that nothing was said about work in the afternoons perhaps God took siestas.) This ensured that each aspect of creation was perfected in anticipation of the next. God’s formula of Today intends that we lay the foundation for Tomorrow with today’s input. As Y’shua advised, we must deal with today’s tasks today. We should not take on tomorrow’s concerns today, for our tasks today require our timely attention now (see Matthew 6:34).

This requires that we attend to God’s timing, plans, and assignment – not those being completed by others. Even when their tasks are similar to ours. Y’shua had twelve disciples. He taught all of them together, but they learned differently and executed their tasks in different ways:

Thomas required proof, taking the time to sift through the facts before moving forward.

The twins were keen on getting it right in Heaven, they were not always taking time to read the fine print.

Judas got sidetracked by other things, it cost him twelve friendships.

Others were fixated on being His bodyguards. They were all about keeping strangers away from Y’shua.

John was content in knowing he was loved, and would even allow others to take the limelight.

My friend Peter was a bit impulsive, and even had to resit a few courses in order to get things right. And when Peter looked over at the beloved disciple’s work, Y’shua told him – as our Nougat does today – to mind his work (see John 15:15-22; particularly v 22). Despite his impulsiveness, when Peter focused on Y’shua, and Y’shua’s task for him, he recognised Y’shua as the Son of the Living God (see Matthew 14:28- for the lesson; and Matthew 16:16; Mark 8:29 for his declaration).

Believe it or not siblings, we find rest in God when we align ourselves with God’s plans. Let us use Today as the gift it is; ensuring that the present is prioritised with the tasks assigned. No more and no less. No focusing on others’ lives, but on Y’shua, the Author and Finisher of our faith and the giver of rest.

Point to Ponder

Let’s make the time to discuss our day’s plans with God, asking for guidance on what to do when and how to do it.

Prayer

Lord, please take over today, guide us on all we are to accomplish and how to work efficiently and effectively we pray, in Y’shua’s name amen

—

May all we seek be found in Christ