Make It Easy

Procrastinators like things to be easy. How ironic that I create difficulty for myself by putting off what needs doing! I build pressure and make big hairy messes instead of enjoying the benefits of work, play, or rest. I forget to stay connected to the Vine Jesus and my branch flails about in the wind.

Diligence – doing what needs doing when it needs doing – helps maintain connection to Jesus the Vine and cooperates with God’s producing fruit in and through our lives. Diligence facilitates godly fruit – promotes it, makes it easier to develop.

When we lived overseas, I often heard the comment, “‘Ta facil!” “It’s easy!” In fact, “facilitate” is to make an action or process easy or easier.

There are group facilitators who keep folks on topic and make sure everyone gets a chance to speak. There are church facilities – buildings – that make it easier for people to hold meetings. It seems to me we ought to facilitate diligence – make it easier to be diligent.

This is not to say life – or the Christian life – should be easy. My aim is to help us remove roadblocks in our paths that keep us from the fruitfulness we and God desire.

How can we make it easier to do what needs doing when it needs doing?

First step: Notice what we ALREADY do that serves that purpose. Kudos to us! Think about it. Each of us has already set some things in place that we routinely do because they work well.

• We facilitate smooth schedules by marking our calendars with appointments.
• Elena facilitates an enjoyable holiday by having all recipes together in a Thanksgiving computer file.
• Joyce facilitates quiltmaking and relationships by meeting with her friends to quilt.
• Moms like Mary and Missy facilitate cleaning by making chores fun with music and games.
• We facilitate a calm departure in the morning by placing our packed bag or briefcase by the door the night before.

To facilitate is not to guarantee. No one has control over a sick child or emergency phone call. But what if you had to handle the unexpected PLUS run around and gather papers, diapers, snacks, or library books? That bag ready by the door still makes departure easier.

Please share! What do you do to facilitate a job or process at your house? We’d like your ideas!