This week we are in Ecclesiastes 5:1–7.

I have a stack of papers on my desk that’s been sitting there for three weeks. Filing them would take maybe three minutes. I love a clean desk, but I keep waiting for just the right moment. At the beginning of the day, I feel compelled to start answering emails immediately. At the end of the day, I’m out of energy and the papers can wait until tomorrow. My intention is to file them during an online meeting when I’m off camera and can multi-task. Multiple opportunities have come and gone but I haven’t remembered the papers during those opportunities. Meanwhile, the stack grows.

This is a classic example of how my engineer-mind works. I take great satisfaction in completing a task with the least possible effort. When I go to Lowe’s I’m usually buying odds and ends for multiple little projects that have accumulated, and often doing it on the way home from another errand.

Generally, my methods, while slow, are indeed efficient. But sometimes, I should stop waiting for the perfect moment or a clever workaround and just get things done.

Ecclesiastes 5 speaks to this about promises made to God: When you make a vow to God, don’t delay fulfilling it, because He does not delight in fools. Fulfill what you vow. (Ecclesiastes 5:4 HCSB)

It’s easy to make promises in moments of clarity or emotion – committing to pray more, serve somewhere, or give more regularly. But then we wait for the perfect conditions, and the stack of unfulfilled commitments grows. I assume that God appreciates if I get something done efficiently, but what He really wants is my faithfulness. An awkwardly fulfilled commitment is better than a perfect plan left undone.

We need to keep our promises. Would you rather have a friend tell you he can’t pick you up at the airport, or a friend who tells you he will do it but then doesn’t show up?

Better that you do not vow than that you vow and not fulfill it. (Ecclesiastes 5:5 HCSB)

The flip side of this is that we don’t want to be so fearful of lack of follow-through that we become frozen in indecision and don’t do anything. I’m a work in progress on both sides of this equation, but I’m happy to report that thinking about this spurred me into action, and my desk is now clear.

And the next time some papers need attention, I’m going to take care of it immediately. I promise. What other promises do I need to keep?

For many dreams bring futility, so do many words. Therefore, fear God. (Ecclesiastes 5:7 HCSB)

By Mark Stuart

Mark is the husband of Laura, father of Shelby and Jacob (Bailey), and grandfather of Charley.