I personally struggle with procrastination, the “putting off” of things that I know need my attention. I say too many times, “I will get to that later.”
Most of the issues are not sin issues of overt disobedience, but I think my lack of motivation to act in the now or today may have a root of laziness or other character weakness.
I know many Christians struggle with this same attitude of putting off “what I want most for what I want now.” And that’s what I want to address today.
Waiting for His Return
“We should do nothing we would not want to be found doing when Jesus comes back.” –Jonathan Edwards
Busyness can be the enemy of lasting achievement, which involves focusing on God’s agenda. When busyness consumes us, we miss His best … even if we’re pursuing good things.
I believe once we see Jesus—in all of His magnificence, His gentleness, His profound love, and everlasting patience—God our Father gives us a hunger in our soul that longs for Jesus to have every part of us.
Pursuing petty character sins for momentary pleasure is nothing but “vanity.” But this doesn’t mean we don’t get to take joy or pleasure in anything. Most of our walk with Christ results in “unspeakable joy” and refreshing pleasures in His presence. And the closer we get to Jesus, the greater the longing to have more of Him.
Let Yourself Embrace Jesus
Yes, the more you long for Jesus, the more you see how far you are from Him, and the more you want your heart to be His completely.
The apostle Paul lived this way and expressed his goals like this …
“Brothers, I do not consider that I have made it my own. But one thing I do: forgetting what lies behind and straining forward to what lies ahead, I press on toward the goal for the prize of the upward call of God in Christ Jesus. Let those of us who are mature think this way, and if in anything you think otherwise, God will reveal that also to you.” –Philippians 3:13-15
The Daily Fight of Faith
There will never be “perfection” in us this side of heaven. We will have to fight daily the “fight of faith” against the sins of our hearts so we can be completely His … resulting in every part of our character being changed into His likeness.
We have such a great Savior, so let’s run together to win the prize. Let us fight the fight of faith to do all things for the sake of the gospel. And let us love one another well, for His name’s sake.