Have you ever had a strong desire to do something, but for some reason never get around to doing it? I”m referring to that something that remains with you, nags at you and literally plagues you…but you still put it off…I’ll get around to it. Why do we put off things we know we should be doing? Could it be fear, afraid of failing, not feeling adequate for the task, rejection? At the end of the day, it is summed up in one word, procrastination…putting off and delaying. If done too often, it can become a habit and habits can become like a fortress, hard to break in or out.

We all have goals and aspirations, many of which we succeed in accomplishing, but there is that one thing that creates angst and will not go away. What if the strong desire that will not go away is a God-given purpose. The purpose God has given us as part of His plan for our life. “For we are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand, that we should walk in them.” Ephesians 2:10 ESV

We all have been created for a purpose. As long as we have the breath of life, that purpose remains ours to do; however, we complicate things by wanting to do something grand…attention getting…and more than likely, that wanting is the reason we procrastinate.

I am well acquainted with procrastination. I have been told by others to write more times than I care to mention. I have successfully written speeches, lessons, letters, training manuals and advertising blurbs for others but I have put off writing either a memoir or a blog to share my experiences and what I have learned over the years. I did venture to write what I called a quasi-blurb on Instagram to see how well it would be received. That still did not move me to follow through nor did I continue writing it. Recently, however, I realized my hesitation and the reason for my procrastinating was my looking for validation from those individuals I thought would make a difference…add credence in my ability to write. But here’s the thing, I was validated by God when I was given the desire to write…as well as when I wrote for others. What I lacked was faith to believe that God in His sovereignty had already equipped me and would continue to equip me. He had done His part and my part is three-fold, believing, obeying and trusting. “For I know the plans I have for you, declares the Lord, plans for welfare and not for evil to give you a future and a hope.”

Jeremiah 29:11 ESV.

You may be asking why I am writing about procrastination. Sometimes you have to admit the problem before you can solve it. It is also good to let the readers know we all have been in a place of vulnerability, but we don’t have to remain there. If you have a strong desire, like I do, to write, to create, to design, to develop, to return to school even…procrastination will keep you from it every time. Take a hint from me, let procrastination go…be done with it. God has given you all you need to succeed. You may be reading this and saying, “I don’t know God, I don’t believe there is a God” Well…He knows you and He believes in you. How do I know? You are reading this blog….”This-I-Know”.

“And I am sure of this, that He who began a good work in you will bring it to completion at the day of Christ Jesus.” Philippians 1:6 ESV

What are you putting off…delaying? Wait no longer…say ‘goodbye’ to procrastination. You’ll be glad you did….

Vivian