Instant Gratification

    We are entering the second full week in October.  In our culture of instant gratification, it is now time to take down the Halloween displays and sell Halloween candy at half price so that we can turn our attention to Christmas.  (Remember, Halloween is still three weeks away.)  Craft shops like Hobby Lobby already have their Christmas merchandise out.  Last year, Home Depot was selling Christmas trees at this time so I need to check if they are on schedule this year.  It will not be long until we hear Christmas music wherever we go.  I’m sure, Thanksgiving will get lost somewhere in the rush to get to Christmas.
    Instant gratification is not only for the holidays.  Last Sunday was my birthday.  I deeply appreciated the cards I received before the big day.  Those sending them remembered!  But I wondered about those who sent cards that arrived the day after my birthday.  Could it be that they forgot?  Logically, that doesn’t make sense.  Neither group sent cards that arrived on the exact day.  Perhaps one of the early cards was sent by a person who could not remember the exact day so sent a card hoping it would arrive close to the day.  If it was early, that would make it acceptable.
    Instant gratification carries over in every area of life.  I want it and I want it NOW.  Waiting is hard.  I want the Stewardship Campaign to be successfully completed now.  I want the new administrative structure to be firmly planted in the life of Epiphany now.  I want the planning of Joyce’s and my trip to Jordan and Israel this Christmas to be now.
    I know that I argue with myself with logic.  It takes time to discern and test a ministry program.  It takes time to to root a new procedure.  In one of the books that I read, the author said it can take up to seven years.  I know it has taken a year to put together our Christmas trip.
    In my more rational moments, I have a strategy to deal with the impulse for instant gratification.  When I am planning something, I ask how long should this take.  I try very hard to be realistic.  Once I have a realistic date in mind, I apply Murphy’s Law, “Whatever time you set for a project, it will take twice as long.”  Since this law is accurate more often than not, I take my realistic time schedule and multiply by 2.  Finally, I remember a commentary on Murphy and his Law; namely, Murphy was an optimist.  I better allow some more time for the Stewardship Campaign, for the administration system to be implemented and firmly rooted, and for dealing with a trip to the Holy Land that  seems to change on a regular basis.
    If you have another strategy for dealing with the impulse for instant gratification, let me know.  I would enjoy comparing notes.
Pastor Pete