Destination Disease

“Give your entire attention to what God is doing right now, and don’t get worked up about what may or may not happen tomorrow. God will help you deal with whatever hard things come up when the time comes.” Matthew 6:34 (Message)

Thorough examination complete, the doctor will be unable to diagnosis the sickness. The pharmacist will stare at you with glazed eyes unable to offer or fill a prescription that will bring relief from this malady. Common. Contagious. Fatal. Debilitating. It produces paralysis and, unfortunately, Christians seem especially susceptible to this infection.

“Destination Disease.” Max Lucado calls it the “Whaddiffs and Howells”. We sit and we think “what if this” or “what if that” or “how will I this” or “how will I that.” We are so focused on tomorrow that today is nothing more than an overlooked, under appreciated afterthought. Granted, we are commanded to keep our eyes on the prize, but so often we ignore the importance and joy of the process and journey. We despise today’s moments. We forget to take care of today’s responsibilities, today’s task, today’s mundane, today’s unglamorous, today’s behind the scenes . . . waiting for the someday and the one day. So locked into tomorrow and our future greatness that today’s opportunities, today’s chances, and today’s obligations are forfeited and forever lost.

I have fallen prey to this disease. Several years ago while riding in my car, I was crying out to God about my desire to pour my life into young men who felt called into the ministry. I asked God, “When are You going to provide a platform for me to fulfill this desire?” I was eaten up with the disease. Completely wrapped up in what might happen. God very clearly spoke to me and instantly healed my disease. He simply said, “I will provide a platform when you take care of the young men I have already given you.” Correction produced clarity and I suddenly and clearly realized that I had nine young men in my youth ministry who had a call on their life. My disease almost cost the kingdom nine valuable and gifted young men. What has the disease stolen from you?

The disease is deadly, but it is not incurable. Matthew writes a prescription when he instructs us to deal with today and not to worry about tomorrow. Keep your focus on what you can do now and let God worry about the “Whaddiffs and Howells”. Proverbs 18:16 offers us the second dose of antidote and reminds us that, “A man’s gift maketh room for him, and bringeth him before great men.” Simply put, we don’t have to work, force, pull strings, or promote ourselves. We don’t have to sit around waiting for the right break, the right phone call, or right promotion. We don’t have to come up with a slick marketing scheme or strategy. Using your gift in your present situation and surroundings destroys the disease. Your gift, when used where you are, will make room and a place for you.

Are you sick? Do you have the disease? Hold your head back. Pinch your nose if you must. Swallow pride, ego, jealousy, and ambition. Blink until you dismiss the vision of lights, press releases, fan fares, and rave reviews. Take your medicine. You (and everyone else around you who need your gift now) will be better for it TODAY.