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PROGRAM D-8215
I’m challenging you with a simple motto: Do it right and do it now. I’ve examined the importance of doing everything right the first time—no do overs. Now I’m tackling a topic that is probably not your favorite—procrastination. Unfortunately, it is a deadly bad habit, one that will rob you of doing what God put you here to do.
Denis Waitley has said, “Procrastination is the fear of success. People procrastinate because they are afraid of the success that they know will result if they move ahead now. Because success is heavy, carries a responsibility with it, it is much easier to procrastinate and live on the ‘someday I’ll’ philosophy.”
Fear is at the root of most of our “issues.” We know from Romans 8 that “The Spirit you received does not make you slaves, so that you live in fear again; rather, the Spirit you received brought about your adoption to sonship. And by him we cry, ‘Abba, Father.’” Christ has come to set us free from our fears so that we are not afraid to step out by faith to do what God has called us to do. Unfortunately, too often we allow ourselves to remain slaves to our fears.
Does this strike a familiar note with you? Can you see that your bad habit of procrastination is the way you’ve coped with your fear of success? Living in mediocrity and procrastination may help you avoid some responsibilities and some failure, and you will avoid people criticizing what you’re doing, but you will miss the great joy that comes when you’re right in the center of God’s will, doing the good works he planned for you to do.
There are lots of reasons to put this bad habit of procrastination behind you, but the most important one is because it will free you to live the exciting life of walking by faith. I think of a friend of mine—one woman—who stepped out on faith about 18 years ago to begin an after-school program for the most disadvantaged children in the Chicago school system. It’s called By the Hand Club, and she began with 17 children. Now there are over 1400 children involved in four different locations throughout Chicago. Children who are now tutored and encouraged, loved and fed, and given the gospel three days a week. One woman stepped out on faith—now thousands of lives are being changed for eternity!
What is procrastination stealing from you? Remember this simple motto—do it right and do it now. Live by it, and it will change your life!