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 that cause my procrastination 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 pursue other longings rather than pursue a greater longing.

The Cost of Busyness

I know many Christians struggle with this same attitude of putting off what we want most for what we want now. Busyness can distract us and lead us to procrastination. And that is what I want to address today.

“Resolved, never to lose one moment of time; but improve it the most profitable way I possibly can.” –Jonathan Edwards

When busyness consumes us, we miss God’s best—even if we are pursuing good things.

Jesus Deserves Our Service Always

I believe once we see Jesus—in all of His magnificence, His gentleness, His profound love, and His everlasting patience—God our Father gives us a hunger in our soul that longs for Jesus to have every part of us and every moment of our time.

“As the deer pants for streams of water, so my soul pants for you, my God. My soul thirsts for God, for the living God.” -Psalm 42:1-2a

Pursuing petty character sins for momentary pleasure—and putting off pursuing Christ—is nothing but vanity. But this does not 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 will be to have more of Him.

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.

“How lovely is your dwelling place, Lord Almighty! My soul yearns, even faints, for the courts of the Lord; my heart and my flesh cry out for the living God.” -Psalm 84:1-2

Fighting the Fight of Faith

The apostle Paul lived this way and expressed his goals like this:

“Brothers and sisters, I do not consider myself yet to have taken hold of it. But one thing I do: Forgetting what is behind and straining toward what is ahead, I press on toward the goal to win the prize for which God has called me heavenward in Christ Jesus. All of us, then, who are mature should take such a view of things. And if on some point you think differently, that too God will make clear to you.” –Philippians 3:13-15

There will never be perfection in us on 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 and loving Savior, so let us 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 and bear each other’s burdens, for His name’s sake.

“Fight the good fight of the faith. Take hold of the eternal life to which you were called when you made your good confession in the presence of many witnesses.” -1 Timothy 6:12

Receive Weekly Encouragement

To get devotionals from East-West’s founder sent to your inbox weekly, sign up below!