Why are You Procrastinating?

    The Bible is very clear.  St. Paul explains that we truly want to do good, but somehow, within us there is the propensity to do just the opposite.  St. Paul, therefore declares himself in context as a “wretched man”.  This applies to all mankind. (Romans 7:14- 25)   Included in this attempt to do well, I shall include procrastination.

    Procrastination is the total sum of desiring to, needing to, and hoping to accomplish something, but somehow never getting to it quickly.    It is procrastination that often causes us to lose out in life on something worthwhile.  We procrastinate in our homes, on our jobs, and in our personal lives.

    I once heard a story about a man who had a patent to submit to the patent office.  He procrastinated, thinking that he had plenty of time.  Another man, who had a similar patent made it to the patent office just minutes before him, and was awarded the patent.  How many of us do not get our awards because we procrastinate? 

An Element of Laziness

    Many times the person who procrastinates is lazy, not busy.  He is occupied with doing basically nothing that he/she should be doing.  The good thought of achievement is there, but the energy, drive, and effort is put off for later.  People who are lazy would never hope to own up to it, but lazy people accomplish very little, and many times lose out in life. The Book of Proverbs is replete with vivid conversations about the “sluggard” which is a lazy person. The sluggard sleeps a lot, will not take advantage of opportunities, makes no effort , is a waster, are not industrious, and depend on others.  (Proverbs 18:9,  Proverbs 19:15, 24, Proverbs 20:4, 13). How many times do those who procrastinate regret their lack of attentiveness to a given situation after thefact?

Little or No Will Power

    Those who abide in the housing of procrastination are not truly decided on what they will do.  Their will is not strong enough to make the effort.  Captain Phillips, who survived the piracy off of the coast of Somalia in April, 2009,is a prime example of a man who had the will to live.  He told, in an interview, how he thought he might die, but continually looked for a way to escape.  He jumped overboard when he saw that his captors had relaxed their vigilance.  Although he was caught and more carefully watched by the Somalian pirates, he stood in a small space so that those who might rescue him would know where he stood as they watched the scenario.  In the end, his determined stubbornness  to live, and the grace of God sustained him.  He was rescued safely and lived to tell it.   A strong will is needed to pursue things to the end.  Those who procrastinate do not have a determined will that they will exert.