Posts Tagged ‘Procrastination’

Let’s Climb!

Monday, October 19th, 2009

“Six days later Jesus took Peter and the two brothers, James and John, and led them up a high mountain to be alone.” Matthew 17:1

turnagain arm rock 3999 300x194 Lets Climb!

As I read this passage this morning, I sensed that Jesus wants me to climb a mountain with him – the Mountain of Aloneness. I hear him calling me to ascend this mountain with him each day. Here are several observations about this ascent:

1. Jesus desires me to climb this mountain with him each day. He longs for me to say no to my lesser desire of procrastination and say yes to his greater desire of spending quality time with me. I know he wants to spend time with me because he loves me. 

2. Every believer is invited to ascend the Mountain of Aloneness with Jesus, but not every believer will make the ascent. The ascent to be alone with Jesus takes work! It takes getting up early, staying up late, turning off the television, blocking time, and making preparations to be alone with him.  Are you willing to be the “one” and put in the work to make the climb? 

3. I am led up this mountain by Jesus himself. I am not left alone to climb this mountain by myself. I have a guide who leads me up this mountain. He leads me up this mountain because he desires to reveal himself to me. 

4. There are times I need to climb this mountain with fellow pilgrims.

5. I must leave distractions behind when I ascend this mountain. I am easily held captive by noise, all kinds. I have to decide to fast and detox from my addiction to the noise of life and let the silent aloneness with Jesus quiet and feed my soul. 

6. I see a clearer picture of Jesus when I climb the Mountain of Aloneness with Jesus. I see him more clearly as Messiah and Son. Layers of his person are peeled away, and I see Jesus in his majesty, holiness, and power.

Will you ascend the Mountain of Aloneness with Jesus with me this week. It’s worth the climb and the view is transformational. 

Which observation(s) spoke to your heart the most? What keeps you from climbing the Mountain of Aloneness with Jesus? What changes do you need to make in order to make the climb? 

Let’s Climb!

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Posted in Alone with Jesus, Discipleship, Distractions, Growth, Loving God, Prayer, Priorities, Uncategorized | 2 Comments »

Do It Now!

Monday, May 11th, 2009

procrastination 300x225 Do It Now!

 

 

 

 

 

 

I procrastinate. Things that I know to do, at times I don’t do them. I defer the action or decision until a later time. I am not certain why I procrastinate. Maybe it is because I am looking for answers from two different places. James calls it being double-minded. Maybe it’s because I am waiting for the conditions of life to be perfect. Maybe my own fearfulness has become a trap of procrastination for me. It could be because of anger or it could be because I am lazy and not diligent. It could be that I allow less important things to crowd out the most important things.  

I am not totally certain why I defer actions, tasks, or decisions to a later time, but I know that I do and it has cost me. The longer I wait to begin a project, an article, a job around the house, or even sermon prep, the harder it becomes to succeed and be most effective. Procrastination has cost me: 

Opportunities
Time 
Money 
Relationships  (I know that it has hurt or frustrated people that I love)

Here is a pattern of procrastination:  

  • I’ll start early 
  • I’ve got to start this project soon
  • I should have started this project sooner 
  • There’s still time to get it done
  • What’s wrong with me that I can’t start it sooner 
  • I can’t wait any longer; I have to get it done in a hurry  
  • Just get it done 
  • Next time I’ll start sooner 

Although I am far from having it all figured out, here are some things I’m learning about fighting and beating procrastination: 

  • Start today 
  • Develop a schedule – what gets written, gets done. 
  • Take bigger tasks and break them down into smaller tasks. 
  • Focus on the gain not the pain 
  • Be accountable to someone 
  • Do it now!  
Whatever it is that you have been putting off until the conditions were right – writing a book, going back to school, starting a budget, writing that new song, reading a book, saving up for a vacation, cleaning the garage, learning a new language, memorizing Scripture, in-depth study of a topic in the Bible - do it now, or at least, begin it now! Whatever decision you have been putting off because of fear, anger, or laziness, make it now! The longer you wait, the harder it will be for you to begin.   
 
Don’t allow procrastination to rob you of another opportunity, another dollar, another hour, or even your legacy.
 
No more excuses!
 
What are some areas where you have procrastinated? What has it cost you? What are some things you have done to fight it? 

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