My sister-friend Pam and I were discussing past mistakes in the various roles we play in our lives – especially as business women. I had told her that I really didn’t know why I did not take certain actions when I should of. There was absolutely nothing keeping me from taking action at the appropriate time, my best time. At that moment, I really didn’t think much about it, until she said something that almost knocked me off of my feet. She restated a quote that someone mentioned to her: “Delay is the deadliest form of denial.” It was as if I had a spiritual epiphany.
Being the Googler that I am I wanted to find out who actually came up with such a profound quote. A guy named C. Northcote Parkinson came up with this quote in his book “Parkinson’s Law”. He referred to the quote as “The Law of Delay”. When I saw that I thought, “Wow ‘delay’ is power. It has its own law (chuckling)!” Then I began to reflect on the meaning behind this law and had allowed “delay” to affect my life.
Delay is synonymous with procrastination. I’ve missed deadlines that had cost me money, appointments and opportunities. I’ve missed connecting with awesome people and probably missed God’s favor because I delayed action. Now, don’t tell me that a person can’t miss God’s favor. If you are not in the right place at the right time, trust me, you certainly CAN.
I remember promising my boys that I would take them to the Universoul Circus one year. I waited until the last minute to purchase tickets. When I went to the ticket booth (in the rain mind you), they had sold out! My heart sank. Now, I had to go home and tell my sweetie pies we were not going to the circus. Then I wanted to kick myself. I realized that I was a chronic procrastinator in denial. The reality of the matter was that I lacked self-control. There… I admit it. We can make all of the excuses we want but reality will jump up and slap us in the face at some point. Ecclesiastes 3:1 tells us that there is a time for everything. I don’t know about you but I don’t mind a proverbial slap in the face if it will keep me from missing a step toward the fullness of God.
So, here are some things you can do to help you put first things first:
1. Admit that you are a procrastinator.
2. Surrender to God any desires you have to put priorities off.
3. Ask God to give you wisdom in every role you play in life so you can put important things first.
4. Be sincere about changing your behavior by committing to take practical steps to eliminate procrastination.
5. During your meditation time, ask God what task should be a priority that day. Write down in a journal what He tells you. If your list is too long, consider that God did not tell you some of the tasks you listed. Remember, He will not put more on you than what you can bear.
6. Believe that you can take responsibility for your lack of action because you have the Spirit of Christ living inside you to help.
7. Find someone who can be your accountability partner.
Meditate on the following scriptures:
- Romans 13:14 1
- Corinthians 10:13
- Psalm 139:23-24
- Colossians 1:27
- Romans 4:20
- James 1:4
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