I am a procrastinator.
Instead of starting what I should be doing, I sit down and pray sometimes.
Sometimes I sit down and think about what needs to be done.
Sometimes I make lists of what needs to be done.
I pretty much do everything except what needs to be done.
I’ve known at various times of my life that I love to write. I love to read my Bible. I feel better when I walk. I like a clean house. I feel good when I feed people. All little pointers along the way of things the good Lord has for me to do. Encouraging to others, fulfilling for me, doing my little contribution to honor God.
Enter the book of Haggai, which I highly recommend. It’s only two pages – two short chapters, which in God’s hands can be life-changing for those of us who are procrastinators. It was funny that I have a note in my Bible 2-9-03. So it must have been a spot God had me before. I only write the date if I have gained a life changing moment. Oh and another note 10-13-09 that said ‘conviction to finish “Breathe”’. My first book and it was published in 2012.
Back I am today in 2022 (wow that sounded like Yoda). My 3rd book, “Enemy” languishes in my computer, originally scheduled for 2015. The newest book, “Neighbor”, sits partially developed. My website gets occasional attention every few months or years.
My dishes are in the sink. My carpets need vacuuming. My dog wants a walk.
But clearly I read my Bible today because here we are at Haggai and I note 5-11-22 in the margin.
“The people say, ‘The time has not yet come for the Lord’s house to be built.’”
And there lies the root of the problem.
At the core of all procrastination is that idea: “the time has not yet come”.
While the house of the Lord still remained in ruins, the people were building their own houses. The prophet Haggai was given a clear message for the people from the very mouth of God.
“Give careful thought to your ways. You have planted much, but have harvested little. You eat, but never have enough. You drink, but never have your fill. You put on clothes, but are not warm. You earn wages, only to put them in a purse with holes in it.”
The bottom line: procrastination on the things that the Lord has given us to do, leads to a very unsatisfying life. No matter how much work and organization we put ourselves to accomplish, if we neglect the things that honor the Lord – the work He has given us, we can never be satisfied. We can be busy. But we cannot be content.
The phrase “give careful thought to your ways” is used multiple times in Haggai.
The book of Haggai speaks of the Lord stirring up the spirit of the leaders and the people and they came and began to work on the house of the Lord. God promised peace and glory to His house.
He reminded them how when they had worked only for themselves, failing to turn to the Lord, their work was blighted. The results were not fruitful as the house of God was left in ruins and the people worked on their own agenda.
But beginning the task of building a temple that would glorify the Lord immediately turned the outcome of their lives.
“From this day on I will bless you.”
Procrastination: the time has not yet come…
Give careful thought to our ways…
Acts 17:24 – 28
A life- steering passage to read. It shows God’s sovereignty, how He doesn’t live in a temple built by human hands, how He determined our times and the exact places we would live. How God did all this that men would seek Him …He isn’t far … in Him we live and move and have our being…
As the people took in the message of turning to work for the Lord instead of themselves, things began to change …
May God bless His word to our understanding and send seed for the sower and bread for the eater…ISAIAH 55:10-11
Love,
Bev