Procrastination
So Joshua said to the Israelites: "How long will you wait before you begin to take possession of the land that the LORD, the God of your fathers, has given you? Appoint three men from each tribe. I will send them out to make a survey of the land and to write a description of it, according to the inheritance of each. Then they will return to me. You are to divide the land into seven parts. Judah is to remain in its territory on the south and the house of Joseph in its territory on the north. After you have written descriptions of the seven parts of the land, bring them here to me and I will cast lots for you in the presence of the LORD our God. (Joshua 18:3-6 NIV)
Joshua wanted to know why some of the tribes kept putting off taking possession of their lands. It was obvious that the job would be a difficult one, so they were procrastinating.
Sound familiar? How many times do we put off doing those things that are large, difficult, boring, tedious or just downright disagreeable? How many unwanted chores are there hanging around your house, or your job, or your life in general? If you're typical, there's probably a list of them. It takes more concentration to do something we don't like, more teamwork, generally more time, more encouragement from others and plenty of accountability on our parts. These facts alone make those things we put off even less desirable, don't they? But putting off a job just because it may be unpleasant or difficult or boring shows a lack of personal discipline, poor stewardship of time, and, in some cases, disobedience to God. Like these seven tribes of Israel, we need to get our acts together and stop procrastinating.
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Another effect is that unwanted tasks that are put off until later begin to loom larger and larger on the horizon. The very fact of their existence makes them seem bigger and more difficult or boring or whatever than they really are. Some years ago, God taught me to procrastinate in a much different way... I do the things I don't want to do first, and save the best, the thing I want to do most, for last. It has a wonderful effect! I get all unpleasant things behind me, and before me are only those delightful things I really want to do!
Take a look at the tasks before you. Which ones are you putting off? Why? Will they go away? No. Will they become more and more difficult the longer you wait to do them? Yes. Will the fact that they’re out there, waiting for you to take care of them, make you miserable because ignoring them doesn’t make them go away. No, they will stay right there, nagging at you constantly until you finally give in and get busy!
Would you like your life to be more peaceful and free from concern? If your answer is yes, then commit today to be obedient, and to stop procrastinating in every area of your life.
From Newsong Ministries
http://www.thisdaysdevotional.org/
Used with Permission.
