When Marsha DuCille launched CALLED magazine in 2007, her life was headed in a very different direction. Marsha’s plan was to practice law and shape public policy. But the Lord is constantly stretching us to new heights. So when God decided to call Marsha’s name, she boldly dared to answer. In her book CALLED to Inspire, Marsha shares stories that will inspire and encourage you to step outside your comfort zone and find the strength to answer God’s call. I invite you to explore how God might be calling you to do something special with your life. The world is waiting! It’s a grace to welcome Marsha to the farm’s front porch today…
Whenever I have a project that I’d rather not do, I feel motivated to do all sorts of other things.
Suddenly, the kitchen pantry needs to be organized, and every toilet needs to be scrubbed. Then I notice the mountain of e-mails in my in-box and the laundry that’s calling my name.
That’s the beauty of procrastination: Everything—except the important thing—gets done.
James Albery, an English playwright, wrote an epitaph that highlights the dangers of dillydallying:
He slept beneath the moon,
He basked beneath the sun;
He lived a life of going to do
And died with nothing done.
Graveyards are full of callings that people never got around to answering—procrastination is that cunning of a thief.
It steals time. It tells us that we can put things off.
But the “perfect” moment may never come: Motivation might always be low; money might always be tight; and life might always be busy.
However, Ecclesiastes 11:4 warns, “Farmers who wait for perfect weather never plant. If they watch every cloud, they never harvest.”
Have you ever wondered why women have babies, considering the pain of labor? It can be an unpleasant experience, but mothers keep the end result in mind.
Completing your life’s mission “will be like a woman suffering the pains of labor. When her child is born, her anguish gives way to joy because she has brought a new baby into the world” (John 16:21).
So “push” through the cunning schemes of procrastination and keep the end result in mind. There’s something beautiful waiting to be born.
But . . . is it too late?
One of CALLED magazine’s readers once wrote, “My dream function has been broken.”
Age can make us feel this way.
As the years progress, people tend to think that they’ve wasted too much time. But you’re not too old, and it’s not too late to accomplish your dream.
Anna Mary Robertson Moses, better known as “Grandma Moses,” began her painting career in her mid-seventies. In her golden years, she painted thousands of creations—including twenty-five after the age of one hundred.
Some of the finest museums in the world have displayed Grandma Moses’ paintings, and a sundry of reproductions have been placed on china, fabrics, tiles, and greeting cards. In 1946, 16 million of her Christmas cards were sold, and one of her paintings was purchased for $1.2 million in 2006.
Do you still think it’s too late?
Through your faith, God can stop the clock and resurrect your dream.
God used Jesus’ words to resurrect Lazarus: “When Jesus arrived at Bethany, he was told that Lazarus had already been in his grave for four days.” However, Jesus said to Martha, “Your brother will rise again.” “Lord, he has been dead for four days. The smell will be terrible,” Martha protested.
But Jesus replied, “Didn’t I tell you that you would see God’s glory if you believe?” With great authority, Jesus then shouted, “Lazarus, come out!” And the dead man rose (John 11:17-44).
Procrastination may have stolen years, and your dream may have died.
But, today—no matter how discouraged you may feel—tell your Lazarus to rise!
You’re not too old, and it’s not too late to fully live your life.
The Lord says, “I will give you back what you lost.” ~Joel 2:25, NLT
Marsha DuCille is the founder and editorial director of CALLED magazine, the largest North American–based publication for Christian women. Her “hobby turned global venture” reaches women worldwide through a variety of multimedia platforms. She is also the creative director of CALLED Design, a print and digital solutions enterprise; the creative principal of CALLED Boutique, a merchandising brand; and the chairman of The CALLED Project, a philanthropic arm that supports outreach efforts around the world. Marsha earned a master’s degree in social work from Boston University and a master’s degree in educational foundations, research, and policy from the University of Michigan.
CALLED to Inspire encourages you to step outside your comfort zone and find the strength to answer God’s call. Cling to this companion week after week and discover how you can live a rich, victorious life guided by God. With each devotional experience, you’ll find compelling answers to life’s most significant questions. Powerful prayers, Scripture verses, and declarations help to fortify and grow your faith. Journaling space gives you the freedom to reflect, explore, and record your thoughts.
[ Our humble thanks to Tyndale for their partnership in today’s devotion ]
