Procrastination can be a difficult challenge for many people. A piece of practical advice I give my clients is one I often use myself. If you have a particularly onerous task to do, set a timer for 15 minutes, with the promise you can stop once the timer goes off. Then begin the task. More often than not, once the fifteen minutes is up, you won't have a problem finishing what you started.
But cleaning the closet isn't quite the same as responding to God's call to discipleship. For one thing, you will eventually get that closet done. But, once you start being a disciple, it's just the opposite. You'll never finish what you started.
What's your favorite way to procrastinate? Are you a thrill-seeker, waiting for the rush that comes from waiting until the last minute? Or do you just refuse to make a decision, thinking that absolves you from how events turn out? Maybe you are plagued by fears of failure and worries about what others might think of you. Maybe it's easier to let others think you simply lack the effort, rather than the ability.
Procrastination, simply put, is the act of delaying or postponing something. Jesus confronted it with compassion many times during his ministry. Whatever your procrastination style, I think Jesus has an answer for you:
If you're a thrill-seeker type, he would say, "As long as it is day, we must do the work of him who sent me. Night is coming, when no one can work." (John 9:4) So ask God for a spirit of industry.
If you're afraid of failure, he would say, "Don't be afraid, little flock. It gives your Father great happiness to give you the kingdom." (Luke 12:32) So ask God for a spirit of faith.
If you're indecisive, he would say, "You can't put God's kingdom off till tomorrow. Seize the day." (Luke 9:62) So ask God for a spirit of courage.
Then, with faith, courage and industry, let us begin. Because God doesn't want us to put off doing good for others.
Rose
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