Good intentions @ 7:00AM

“‘Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind.... and... ‘Love your neighbor as yourself.’(Mt 22:27-29)

I know it's good for me.  And, I want to do it.
         
              Except...

                              The bed that morning was just too comfortable. And although I had said I would exercise- sleep won the battle.  Okay, here's the worst part.  It wasn't even sleep.  I laid there telling myself  "You should get up." "You want to do this." -only to rise from my pillow, and lay back down. There would always be later....until there wasn't.

"Later" had now past.  It was 7:00am. If I wanted a hot shower before the boys, it was now.  Choosing my pillow rather than the treadmill had exposed the truth: being comfortable trumped my conviction to exercise.  I thought I wanted to; I had said I wanted to, but in reality, when the feet had to hit the floor- I didn't do it. It was no more than a good intention.  And that good intention wouldn't bring about the prize I'm running after- a healthier me.

That was  7:00AM.

As I drove home from work that day, the sun was still bright. All of my family members were accounted for at homes other than their own.  I had time.  I could do it. Outside even.  There was no reason not to. Quickly I slipped on some gear, hat, & gloves; leashed the dog... and off I went. You know, I don't even know how long it took.  It's 7:00PM, and all I can say is that I'm glad I did it.

In some ways it reminds me of a story Jesus told some religious leaders:  

"A man with two sons told the older boy, ‘Son, go out and work in the vineyard today.’ The son answered, ‘No, I won’t go,’ but later he changed his mind and went anyway. Then the father told the other son, ‘You go,’ and he said, ‘Yes, sir, I will.’ But he didn’t go.  “Which of the two obeyed his father?”        They replied, “The first."

 Jesus explained: “I tell you the truth, corrupt tax collectors and prostitutes will get into the Kingdom of God before you do. For John the Baptist came and showed you the right way to live, but you didn't believe him, while tax collectors and prostitutes did. And even when you saw this happening, you refused to believe him and repent of your sins.(Mt 21:28-32)

Why, like the younger brother do we say "Yes" but in the end don't?  Perhaps because we don't want to hurt someone's feelings; or;perhaps we intend to- but run out of time... other things are more important.  But there seems a false glory in it- I think I'm helping- but I'm not. Regardless of the intention, a "yes" without action- is a "no".  My intentions and desires, as good as they may be, will not matter at then end of the day unless I act on them.

Anyone, then, who knows the good he ought to do and doesn't do it, sins. (Ja 5:17)

At the end of the day, have we been obedient or not?  Father God, desires what is best you his children.  All his instructions are for good.  He commands us to live rightly- not only for the benifit of those around us- but also for us.  He loves us. I knew what I should do that morning... but at 7:00am I was like the older brother.   A quiet, though rebellious "no" really was my answer as I pulled the covers over my head shutting out the still small voice prompting me.

But, like the older brother, I am also grateful for God's grace.  He is the God of second chances!  That afternoon, I was presented with another opportunity and that time I choose differently.  I think perhaps the beauty of the older brother is that he was honest... with the Father and himself... but deep down he loved his Father and his choices showed it.

Jesus replied, “If anyone loves me, he will obey my teaching. My Father will love him, and we will come to him and make our home with him. He who does not love me will not obey my teaching. (Jn 14:23-24)

Father, help me to be obedient to that still small voice of yours that offers LIFE in the grind of this life.  And could you help me to do it earlier than later today! lol