Inaction: The Only True Failure

Nasimiyu Sarah and I have recently had conversations about the good things we missed because of procrastination, lethargy, and inaction. These good things span from fellowship applications, moving houses, vacation trips, repairing relationships, investment opportunities...(add to the list). We agreed that the pain of inaction stings differently and often leaves us with lots of regret and self-blame.

What is inaction? Lack of action where some is expected or appropriate.        

So I reflect today on the book of Nehemiah. He is the Man of Action. He set out to rebuild a broken wall but left an enduring legacy of leadership. He is often referred to as the 'rebuilder of the broken ruins'. He made his way to a top position in the Persian empire, one of the grandest in the history of the world. Yet, his heart was elsewhere - in Jerusalem, a small, troublesome place far from the center of power. When he heard about the difficulties his people were experiencing there, he took his career and probably his life in his hands and spoke to the king about it (Nehemiah 2: 4-9). Shortly thereafter, he was touring, by night, the broken-down walls of a city he probably had never seen before.

WHAT WERE THEY WAITING FOR?

Nearly 100 years had passed since his people had returned to Jerusalem from exile. Though the temple had been rebuilt, the city was barely occupied. They lived in the outlying villages and towns rather than in the holy city. They mixed with all kinds of foreigners. They were in danger of losing their identity. Why? Partly because the city lacked a wall.

What had kept them from doing anything about the broken-down wall for nearly 100 years?

One obstacle was local resistance: powerful politicians were determined to keep the Jews down. Perhaps, another reason was the lack of a leader.

WHAT ARE YOU WAITING FOR?

Maybe, just like the Jews, in your quest to act on whatever you need to, you are facing insurmountable opposition. Or do you lack the motivation to change your situation? Are you stalling because of fear? Or do you have a weakness with time management? Regardless of your justifiable reasons, the fact remains that the price of inaction is far greater than the cost of making a mistake. Action is a great restorer and builder of confidence. Inaction is not only the result but the cause, of fear. Perhaps the action you take will be successful [Like Nehemiah]; most likely different actions or adjustments will have to follow.

I encourage you today to get organized. Resolve and move. Borrow a tip from Nehemiah who was not only a great manager, but also a man of God. He did not act without prayer, and he did not pray without acting. He recognized God's role in all that happened and NEVER forgot to give Him credit.

Would you like to hear more about the dangers of inaction? Here is a 51-minute video by Beatrice Byemanzi in her Faith Boosters series that got me out of my inaction streak (I highly recommend it): The Dangers of Delay

#inaction #procrastination #actnow #urgent #justdoit #start #today