I knew I needed to work ahead today.  It’s not my strong suit.  In fact, it generally means I’ll do the work twice to get a pleasing result.

A college paper ruined it for me.  I remember tackling a behemoth of a paper about a month before it was due.  I reasoned I had the time.  I had the ability.  Procrastination would not be my friend.  (That sounds terribly good and responsible, doesn’t it?)  So, I wrote the paper.

I was pleased with the results when they were fresh.  The night before said paper was due I decided I should check it over one last time before turning it in.  UGH. I spent the entire night before it was due rethinking, reworking, and rewriting.

I don’t remember what I learned about the subject.  I don’t remember my grade.  I simply remember that working ahead caused me to work twice.  It wasn’t a great lesson.

Now that I’m past the age of all nighters, I find occasional value in working ahead of a deadline.  Today was one of those days.

For the second year I’m participating in an online discipleship group with TCKs in grades 5-12.  Basically we read four chapters of Scripture each week and interact with each other on what we’ve read and what else is going on in our lives.  It’s another good way to touch base with the TCKs in my life.  It’s a great way to keep me in the Word when I t0o easily let it slip by the wayside in the busyness that can be my life.  In general iDiscipleship is just a great addition to my life.

This year I decided I’m following the lead of a colleague in another organization who’s doing this, to0. We’re adding weekly devotionals to what’s available for our own groups of TCKs.  Group WorldVenture’s  first devotional is scheduled to coincide with our start to the book of Numbers on October 28th.  Guess what else happens on the 28th?  The beginning of our new Appointee’s Orientation.  (And my brother’s birthday–but since we no longer live near each other, I’ll do what I can to eat fattening food in his honor that day.)

With the start of an all consuming two week training coinciding with the launch of our devotional, I thought I should work ahead.  So, today was the day.  I tucked in and got it done.

And you know what?  It wasn’t as bad as I anticipated.

Just the title of the book sends shivers down my spine, “Numbers.”  Really?  Those pesky things that aren’t letters; we don’t get along well.  The things that are too plentiful on my scale and too scarce in my bank accounts?  Numbers?!?!  Ugh.

Happily, it’s God’s word.  It’s alive.  The Word meets me where I am when I give him a chance.  In just the first few chapters I was reminded of several things–God gives each of us talents that he uses; he has a plan; his purpose all along is redemption; and sometimes we need awareness of our situation in order to not be overwhelmed and/or to open our eyes to see God doing what we can’t.

I’m not sure, but perhaps today’s foray into working ahead may redeem my college experience.

How do you feel about working ahead?  What has The Word shown you lately?