Procrastination

Okay, well, it's exam time, and one of the things that always hits me at this time of year, is procrastination. "I don't need to study just yet, let me do this" is one of my most common phrases. Another phrase I have heard during this stressful time of year is "I can't study in this room, it's way too messy. I'll just have to clean it first." (that was Jen Kurz, by the way). So, I think procrastination is something that hits everyone. Like now, instead of studying for my final on Thursday, or packing, because I'm taking basically my entire room to Windsor in less than two weeks, I'm posting a blog.

So, why do we procrastinate? Is it something that is inherently born into us, that we must put off for as long as possible something we have been dreading? It will come eventually, and we ought to prepare for it. Maybe we feel that by putting it off, we will be more focused, as I've often said, "I work better under pressure." It is somewhat true, if I put something off long enough, I know I'll have to get it done, and therefore I work hard at completing it. But maybe, just maybe, if I had started sooner, I would have done a better job than leaving it to the last minute. Maybe we just like pain, staying up until 3am to finish a paper that is due at 8 the next morning. It's the stereotypical university student, after all, to be up until all hours. Why go against what society thinks of us? I guess we're just like everyone else before us, and I really don't think it's going to change in the future all that much.

But it's deinitely not only university or college students that procrastinate. Children and adults procrastinate when it comes to cleaning, or doing this or that task. This is a problem that is definitely universal to all people. Is there a cure for procrastination? Or is it unavoidable? Will we always procrastinate no matter how much we tell ourselves we are going to be better this year? I can't remember how many New Year's Eves have gone by where I say that I will do better this year. I'll study harder, not put off my homework to the last minute, and begin to prepare for exams at least a month in advance. Do I do it? Of course not! I guess it just goes against human nature (at least my human nature).

I got to thinking though. I procrastinate in school, but what else do I procrastinate on? What else do I dread, that I put it off to the very last minute? Then I thought to myself, "Well, Marie, you put off witnessing until you can't avoid it at all, that's procrastination." Do I take those opportunities that the Lord gives me to share His amazing gospel with everyone I meet, whether it be at school, work or some random stranger I meet on the bus? How wonderful it would be if I took every opportunity and told everyone I meet that Jesus loves them, died on the cross and bore their sins for them? It's incredible when you think about how many people you see on a daily basis, and the impact that you could have on their lives if you just quit procrastinating, and told them a little bit about your story. So, my challenge for this week is to tell people about Jesus, and quit procrastinating. Although I'm busy, and yes there are many other things I could be doing with my time, I'm going to witness to people and let them know where I stand and who it is that I have believed in and how He has changed my life forever. I'll keep you posted.

The Great Commission:
Matthew 28:18-20 NASB
"And Jesus came up and spoke to them, saying, 'All authority has been given to me in heaven and on earth. Go therefore and make disciples of all the nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit, teaching them to observe all that I commanded you; and lo, I am with you always, even to the end of the age.'"