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Program D-7315

Procrastination is a dreadful bad habit which can destroy our productivity, steal our joy, and wreck our relationships.  Chuck Swindoll has said, “The habit of always putting off an experience until you can afford it, or until the time is right, or until you know how to do it is one of the great burglars of joy.  Be deliberate, but once you’ve made up your mind—jump in.”

Once you’ve made up your mind—jump in!  I love that thought because I’ve always thought of myself as jumping into the deep end of the pool and then realizing I need to take swimming lessons!  And while that would not be good literal advice for learning to swim, it is good advice for moving ahead to do what you know God has called you to do.

If you’re waiting to feel like you know exactly what you’re doing, or until you have lots of money in the bank, or until all your “stars are aligned,” then what you’re really doing is procrastinating.  And most likely that is because you’re frightened.  Fear of failure or fear of looking ridiculous can truly rob you of the joy of doing what God has called you to do.

For sure you need to be deliberate.  That means much prayer, good advice from trusted people, doing your homework, your due diligence; but many people never get beyond the planning and talking stage because they’re afraid to “jump in.”  God calls us to do what only he can do through us.  The good works that God has planned for you to do, according to Ephesians 2:10 will take you out of your comfort zone and put you in over your head.

Why?  Because God wants you to trust him, to walk by faith not by sight, and to always be aware that it is God’s work, not yours.  God gets all the glory and credit, because he does through you what you could never do without his Spirit and his power.

Don’t miss the great excitement and joy that comes when you “jump in” and say, “By God’s grace, I can do all things through Christ who gives me strength.”  Don’t put off until tomorrow the joy and satisfaction that could be yours today, as you refuse to procrastinate any longer, and you move forward to the good things God has for you to do.