Tuesday, January 6, 2009

Procrastination

I'm going through the book "Write His Answer by Marlene Bagnull and I finally got to chapter 9 which is all about procrastination. I am a HUGE procrastinatory person!
Here are the things I do to procrastinate when I'm supposed to be writing (this is a confession):
  • organize my desk
  • make lists of things I need to do
  • check my e-mail
  • read a book about writing
  • clean

I spend my days thinking about writing, longing to write, excited about the ideas swimming around in my head. "I will write." I tell myself. "Right after this one last thing." And then I see something else, but it won't take very long so I figure right after that, the rest of the afternoon will be dedicated to my writing. But then, guess what? Yep, one more thing. And then, the day is over and I'm bloated with all the ideas that did not find their way onto my computer screen or into one of my many notebooks.

I've joked about procrastination, told myself to get over it, made resolutions to just sit down and write. I've never thought of it as sin. But, that is exactly what it is. Matt 21:28 - 32 tells the story about two brothers who were both asked by their Father to go out and work in the field. One said he would go, the other said that he would not. They both changed their minds. It doesn't matter what we say, only what we actually do.

I have been asked by my Father to go out and work (write) and I said that I would.

James 4:17 says "Anyone, then, who knows the good he ought to do and doesn't do it, sins."

Lord, I confess I have squandered my time and I have not valued my writing as You do. I know that you've called me to write. I want to stop sinning against You. Thank you for the privilege of writing Your truth into this world. Please help me with my unbelief and with my schedule. You are a real and mighty God, able to meet us right where we are. I praise You Lord, the greatest artist.

Any other procrastinators out there? What do you do to procrastinate?

2 comments:

Mike said...

I'll get back to you on that. :)

Most of the time I'll procrastinate by doing something leisurely (play a game, watch TV, solve puzzles), but sometimes I'll get drawn into being "productive" by straightening or cleaning. Most of the time it comes down to the same thing: my perception that writing is hard. The funny thing is most times I sit down to do it, it's not that hard past the first few minutes.

Driving home yesterday I was inspired by what I'm calling "The Veggie Rule": "if you don't eat your veggies, you can't have dessert." In other words, I can't do anything that's fun until I do what God has prompted me to do.

Go Katy Perry said...

Good read