March 2006 Devotional 

Procrastination.  It’s that big, ugly word that reminds me I haven’t done everything I’m supposed to have done.  It’s the devotional I should have written and sent out almost a month ago!  It’s the pile of papers from 2004 that should have been sent to my tax preparer a long time ago (really!).  It’s the merchandise return I’ve been putting off for about three years and will now likely not even get a store credit for.  It’s the Woolite hand-washing I need to do, because I keep wanting to wear that one top, but it’s still laying on the floor in my closet – dirty. 

Procrastination makes me feel kind of like that.  Dirty.  And on the floor.  Ashamed of my inability to get it all done and have it all together.  I remember a friend – mother of four girls – that once lamented to me about her procrastinated chores around the house.  After she got through her laundry (literally) list of undone tasks, she cried out, “And there’s a spot on my kitchen floor that’s been there for over a month, and I still haven’t cleaned it up!”

(Note:  I personally like to keep my house rather messy, so if you ever stop by you’ll feel better about yourself and your house.  It’s a small sacrifice I do for you.  I think of it as a ministry.)

When I procrastinate (which occurs with some frequency), it’s easy to beat myself up over it.  I feel guilt and stress when jobs are undone and sit there as constant reminders of my procrastination.  It’s not laziness.  It’s just that life gets busy and certain things get put on the side – and then not attended to in a timely fashion .. until that fashion becomes very outdated, like a puffy, 1980s hairdo.  Then it makes those projects even harder to tackle.

So what are we to do about this little, but-it-feels-like-it’s-insurmountable-at-times, problem?  And what does God say  -- if anything – about it?

Here are a few verses from the Bible to consider.  Read these slowly, and after each one ponder what God might be telling you:

“…This is the work of God:  that you believe in Him whom He sent.” – John 6:29

 “Be anxious for nothing, but in everything by prayer and supplication, with thanksgiving, let your requests be made known to God, and the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus.”  -- Philippians 4:66-7

“Walk worthy of the calling which you were called …” – Ephesians 4:1

“For we are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works which God has prepared in advance that we should walk in them.” -

I don’t see anywhere in scripture where God says we should be crazy-busy and get wigged out when we don’t get everything done in a day.  Isn’t that good news!
 
Remember Mary and Martha?  These two sisters had their friend Jesus over for dinner, and at one point it turned rather nasty.  Martha was busy getting everything ready for the meal, bustling with meal preparation, table presentation, and the million other tasks we put on ourselves when we have company.  Mary, on the other hand, was sitting at Jesus’ feet listening to him.  As you can imagine, this really ticked Martha off.  So she let her frustrations be known to Jesus, fully expecting him to come to her defense and get Mary moving.  But instead, Jesus commended Mary for her attention.  He saw how distracted Martha was with so much serving and said to her,

“Martha, Martha, you are worried and troubled about many things.  But only one thing is needed, and Mary has chosen that good part, which will not be taken away from her.”  (Luke 10:41-42)

From these verses (and many, many more), I learn that God has certain priorities.  And I imagine getting rid of that spot on the floor is pretty far down the list.  Instead, God wants us to know him, love him, learn about him, discover his plans for us, and live out those plans he has designed and already put into motion.   This doesn’t mean that we forget about day-to-day work and necessities, but we keep those things in their proper place.  Often I get so focused on the temporal that I forget how important the eternal is.  So my priorities get mixed up.  When I spend time alone with God discussing this problem, he helps me reprioritize what I truly need to do.

Here’s a few ideas that have helped me and might help you too:

1. Trim the fat from your calendar.  Carve out time for what is truly important, and cut out extraneous activities that are taking you away from this.

1. Reevaluate your goals quarterly.  Determine where you want to be a year from now, and then plan how you are going to get there, reviewing your objectives at least four times a year.  This will help you stay focused on what is really important.

1. With regard to tasks, pretend you are eating an elephant.  Break up your tasks into manageable “bites”, instead of trying to consume and conquer them all in one day.  If you need to write out checks for your bills, then organize the bills one day and write them out the next. 

1. Cut yourself some grace.  God has already said, “It is finished.”  He paid the price for our sins on the cross.  He is drawing people to himself.  He has planned your life and will accomplish his will.  He is in control!  One of my favorite verses is 1 Thessalonians 5:17 – “The One who has called you is faithful … and He will do it!”  Notice the emphasis is completely on God and not on us.  He is able to accomplish all that we need to do.  We just need to walk with him and watch him work through us!

1. Enjoy life!  Spoil yourself at least once a week, and promise that you won’t feel guilty about it.  God wants you to have fun and take pleasure in is creation!

And be patient with yourself.  Finding balance in life is an ongoing challenge.  But it doesn’t have to be one that causes stress and guilt.  God knows we are human and can’t do it all.  That’s why we need him so much.  So trust in his timing and plans.  Take time to breathe.  Take time to rest.  Take time to prioritize.  Take time to praise.  And please … don’t procrastinate in doing so!

Love,
Lisa Kinakin