Why Do You Delay? – Abide in the Vine

Why do we put things off, former procrastinators?  How would you answer that question?  Think of reasons we delay, not occasions when we do.  Numerous ladies have shared their reasons with me.  They boil down to this list.  As you read it, consider what might be behind the objection.  Why am I reacting this way? 

Fear – of the job itself

Fear of Failure

Fear of Success – What if it works? 

Confusion – regarding the goal and/or the process

Feeling Overwhelmed – by the size, complexity, demands of the job, other things I have to do

Fatigue – maybe worsened by my view of the job

Perfectionism – feeds my pride, burdensome for me and others, creates additional demand

Preferences – Likes or dislikes must suit me.

Laziness

Out of my comfort zone

Lack of motivation – Allowing that to control me.

Priorities – This job isn’t important to me.

Futility – I’ll just have to do it all over again.

Finances – This might be guidance, not an obstacle.  Maybe a long-term project in steps.

Health – Might provide guidance.

Some of these are valid reasons for delay. Many of them are expressions of self’s wanting her own way. It’s possible we’ve even twisted a normal tendency into a major difficulty. We might have twisted small reactions into big buggaboos that loom large in our minds.

There’s also some self-protection behind some of these reasons.  We fear not doing as well as we’d like or as well as we think others expect. Confusion and overwhelm make us feel out of control.  There’s pride – we want to look good.  We want what we do to fit our timetable and inclination.  We prefer to do only what we want to do because we like it and we’re comfortable there.

But – feelings and action do not have to match.  How freeing!  Every time we act in obedience, we strengthen our hold on the Vine.  We experience fellowship with Him and growth. We co-labor.

Therefore, now, I would add this reason to the list:  I suspect we don’t relate delay to disobedience.  We intend to obey the Lord – generally.  We don’t recognize any connection between the job and the Lord, so we don’t see procrastination as dishonoring Him or affecting our discipleship.  Now I see some of those reasons in my life are examples of putting myself before Him or slipping from the Vine. Small habits even more than big occasions can reveal our relationship to the Vine.

As we become diligent, we connect those things in our minds. We more quickly obey Christ’s prompting which means we’re abiding more tightly in the Vine.

If there’s a true fear or concern about a job, we might want to ponder what’s behind our concern?  Is it a warning not to do this?  Is it an opportunity to trust God?  Should I seek someone else’s perspective?  Delay won’t help, but some examination and prayer just might.

What reason would you add to this list?  What’s behind it?