Over the years, I have operated in my gift of procrastination. If I didn’t want to do something, I would just put it off. It’s not a successful way to live typically, but it’s what I did. I suppose I still do it occasionally. I put off mowing because the weedeating and cleaning up is so tedious. And because it’s like a million degrees out there in the summer. But I should just be grateful to have land to mow… and the tools to keep it under control… and the health to be able to get out there and do it all… and the time to be able to do it.
Yet, sometimes, I still procrastinate. Why? It always looks so much better when I’m done. I’m always proud of it when I finish and look back over the yard. I feel like slithering vermin won’t be able to sneak up on my family as easily. And there is the sense of accomplishment that accompanies a job well-done.
Yet, sometimes, I still procrastinate. Don’t look at me so disdainfully. We are all tempted at times to put off till tomorrow what could be done today.
We put off forgiving. We put off making that phone call. We put off taking that class. We put off getting readers and just determine to hold the phone a little further from our eyes. We put off asking for help.
Why? Fear… worry… doubt. What might happen? What could go wrong? How much will it hurt? What if it doesn’t go the way I hope?
C. S. Lewis wrote, “We are not necessarily doubting that God will do the best for us; we are wondering how painful the best will turn out to be.” But follow that up with Mark Twain saying, “I’ve had a lot of worries in my life, most of which never happened.”
Think about it this way… What could go right if I went ahead and do what I should do? What if it’s better than I expected? What if it doesn’t hurt too badly, or is painless after all?
Either way takes faith. Faith for the negative… or faith for the positive.
People nearing the end of their time on this planet would tell us to go on, and do it now. You don’t know how long you’ve got left. You may never get the chance again that you have today. Make the most of it.
Hug your kids. Tell your spouse you love them. Clean the bathroom. Answer the call to ministry. Choose a job you love. Get that degree. Dial their number, and just apologize.
Don’t put off whatever it is that you’ve been dreading. Go on! Do it today! Put it on the top of your to-do list, and then do it. You’ll be glad you did.
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Still reading? Why? Put this down, and go on! 😉
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