Stop Procrastinating — Ecclesiastes 11 4
Procrastination from setting off to do God’s work and make the changes necessary in your life is draining. It denies you from experiencing the “hundredfold” that God has in mind when you pursue Him above all else.
So the very first thing to stop procrastinating on is to pursue Jesus and first seek the kingdom of God. For many people, that means moving beyond the comfort zone of Sunday sermons and grace before meals and ask the really hard questions of what it means to leave behind everything for Jesus, because it doesn’t make sell everything to Goodwill and roam the earth (unless you’ve been specifically called to that!)
Let’s take a look at one verse that gets it:
Whoever watches the wind will not plant; whoever looks at the clouds will not reap.
How does the saying go? Life is what happens when you’re busy making plans. Oh, plans are important, but what’s the difference between the making of a plan and an excuse?
If you want to know how to stop procrastinating, one of the things is to look at what this verse is saying. It’s saying that if you’re just watching and observing, or in another translation, just worrying, then you want experience the harvest.
That’s why I love putting multiple translations into the “Hundredfold Now!” e-book, because you get a true sense and wisdom of the scripture.
Worry and the desire for perfection could be what is stopping you from taking the first step in your plans. Of course, you have to have good, Godly plans in place, but before any of that, are you procrastinating from planting the seeds in the soil of your own heart to truly grow in Christ and seek first the Kingdom of God?
We don’t need to be perfect people to do that. We don’t need to worry about the other matters. These are two typical forms of procrastination — worry of failure, things we cannot control like the weather, and the desire for perfect weather, which can be perfect conditions which also will never come.
As it says in another translation, “Get on with your life” and move into the chaos.
What action steps could you be taking now to first move past worry and to stop seeking the perfect condition?
Now discover your strengths
Many people think that the best way to improve themselves and achieve excellence is to work on their weaknesses. And, yes, there is an aspect of completing God’s workmanship in us which involves that, but I think too many people look at the weaknesses, rather than their strength.
In our section on “Heart,” one of the areas that we focus on is, in fact, discovering and than building upon your strengths.
There are a couple of things that are important to understand in this area, so let’s take a look at the verse in Romans 12:4-8:
Just as our bodies have many parts and each part has a special function, so it is with Christ’s body. We are many parts of one body, and we all belong to each other.
In his grace, God has given us different gifts for doing certain things well. So if God has given you the ability to prophesy, speak out with as much faith as God has given you. If your gift is serving others, serve them well. If you are a teacher, teach well. If your gift is to encourage others, be encouraging. If it is giving, give generously. If God has given you leadership ability, take the responsibility seriously. And if you have a gift for showing kindness to others, do it gladly.
The two key ideas which I try to elaborate on in our complete 40-day program are:
1) God has given you the ability to do certain things well
You may not be aware of it. Or you are aware of them, but aren’t really using them. Which brings us to the second point.
2) He wants us to focus and use them in the service of others
Look at the verse actions for each gift. “If it is giving, give generously.” “If you are a teacher, teach well.” In other words, fully into your strengths, rather than expending energy on your weaknesses.
So how practically does that work?
I think one way is to take tests, such as they Myers Briggs personality test. That can start to give you a sense of who you are. The Strength Finders tests is also one specifically designed to identify what your strengths are.
The other is to be aware of areas that you experience joy. “If you have a gift for showing kindness to others, do it gladly.” I don’t think it just applies to those who are kind — is there something you find yourself totally lost in? Then it’s a sign that it’s a strength.
Really, even though we cover it only in one day, Day 15 of the 40 Day Program, you could probably spend a lifetime honing your strengths.
But I think beginning now and making it a priority is key. Because every minute and hour spent in your strengths builds you up.
Remember: “each member belongs to all the others” — your strengths belongs to you, and vice-versa. That creates a powerful dynamic in God’s abundant economy.
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