All Talk But No Action!

“But what do you think about this? 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." Matthew 21:28-30

The other day I had one of those “fed up” moments with a particular group of individuals in my life. Just for sake of identification throughout this devotional we’ll name that group the “going to”.

The “going to” are those people that seem to have all the good intentions, and sadly the potential, but never has what it takes to follow through. They’re the kindest and most caring individuals you’ll ever meet. They’re the ones that are “going to” show up whenever you need them the most. They’ll be at all of your important life events taking pictures helping you to commemorate the experience. They’ll start to disciple the new converts in the church while driving the bus to pick up the elderly saints. They’ll read the Bible in its entirety this year not missing a single verse. They’ll be the first ones to start a new business venture and end a toxic relationship. They’re the “going to” and they’re no joke!

The “going to” are great motivators as well. Listening to one would have you convinced that you’re lazy. They have all of the drive and tenacity to conquer giants. They’re able to leap buildings with one small step. Excuses are no match for them because they’re “going to” get it done no matter what the cost. They live for the challenge and can’t wait to get out of bed each morning to meet the world head on. They’re the “going to” and they’re no joke!

Okay by now I’m sure that you have gotten the point. This is a pretty elite group of individuals but there’s only one problem that they all share.
It’s simply that they “never do”.

The “going to” “never do” anything that they say they’ll do. They never show up when you need them. They never help out around the church. They never accomplish any goals or anything else they say they’re “going to” do. And the sad part is that often they never realize that they are only a “going to” and “never do” type of person. Sad indeed!

Okay confession time. I’m tired of being a “going to” type of person. I really didn’t realize that I was this type of person until I looked at some of those who are closest to me and noticed that I’m often, not all the time (disclaimer), surrounded by “going to” individuals. Being a strong believer that people usually gravitate towards those that are most like them, well you get the ideal.

Jesus told a parable about two sons that were asked to take care of their father’s vineyard. The younger one agreed without haste but the older son refused. (Immaturity will make you commit to things in haste.) Of course we see that when it was all said and done the older reconsidered and “did’ while the younger one “never did”. (Immaturity will make you commit to things you have no intentions of completing.) I would consider the younger one to be a “going to” type of individual. Likewise I would consider the older one to be just the opposite.

Honestly I probably wouldn’t like the older one if I were to meet him on the street because he seems kind of harsh and disrespectful. He’s probably not going to pump my ego or pacify my ideas. He’s straight forward and focused. Although it may seem like he’s rebellious towards authority, he’s not. He’s just steps ahead of them with his agenda. He’s an “already done” type of individual. He’s all action with little talk!

Which brother do you identify with?

Adraine Scott

Adraine is the president of Edvance Services LLC. His entire professional career has been spent helping others find their unique ways of learning and being. He has been able to accomplish this by serving as a youth minister, speaker, counselor, college and career minister, secondary education teacher, and business owner