Why is procrastination so difficult to deal with? Maybe I'll tell you later. If you didn't see that joke as soon as you saw the title, then maybe you decided to read this devotional at some other time.
While thinking about the difficulties of New Year's resolutions (Part I, Part II), it brought up another issue why it's so hard to get anything moving. Procrastination.
Really procrastination is just a love of self. It's about pleasing self.
Newsflash. Working isn't fun. So why would you want to something that isn't fun?
If work was fun, then you'd be doing it. I mean when does anyone procrastinate from doing something fun?
I'm sorry, but I'll relax in the hot tub later.
I'm sorry, but I'll play video games in a few hours.
I'm sorry, but I'll help you egg Nickelback's tour bus another time.
So while it does boils down to what we talked about previously… "What do you love more?" There is more to it.
While one of the fruit of the spirit we have to deal with is love, the other is self-control, or to use a different word - discipline.
Following Christ requires discipline.
LK 9:23 Then he said to them all: "If anyone would come after me, he must deny himself and take up his cross daily and follow me.
Too bad it doesn't say, "he must satisfy himself and take up his fork daily and eat cookie dough while watching 'Survivor' and follow me."
We must be disciplined with our time.
EPH 5:15 Be very careful, then, how you live--not as unwise but as wise, [16] making the most of every opportunity, because the days are evil.
Living for Christ is about "making the most of every opportunity".
God has blessed us with gifts, talents and resources to match up with opportunities.
And how are we going to use these blessings?
By sleeping for fourteen hours a day? By watching all twelve weekly Law and Order shows? By flipping channels for four hours straight? By watching every single YouTube video ever made?
Or are we going to use the blessings from God - for God?
How are you going to use God's blessings? To please yourself, or to please God?
Fortunately God has blessed me with these eggs, and a good throwing arm.
LK 9:23 Then he said to them all: "If anyone would come after me, he must deny himself and take up his cross daily and follow me. [24] For whoever wants to save his life will lose it, but whoever loses his life for me will save it. [25] What good is it for a man to gain the whole world, and yet lose or forfeit his very self?
Take time to pray: Thank God for all the blessings He's given you. And pray that you'll use His blessings for Him, rather than yourself.
Today's Fruit of the Spirit: Self-control. Self-control / discipline with your time.
