Surrender, Serve, Stop Procrastination

“Comparison is the thief of joy” Theodore “Teddy” Roosevelt

A very famous quote that carries a lot of weight, yet I’ve never thought about why it is so true. I agree that when we compare ourselves to others, it robs us of our joy. But have we ever thought about why we begin to compare in the first place?

When we compare ourselves to others, we see what they have or what they are doing that we are not. But if it’s true that we can have anything that we want, then why do we compare? When we were children in school, teachers would say is “You can be anything you want to be! The world is yours!” 

So, if this is the truth, then why do we still feel insecure and compare?

Here is the thing – when we compare ourselves to others, it reflects our procrastination. We are seeing the space between what we are now and what we could be. We see what we should be doing but have pushed aside or been too distracted to do.

So, in my opinion, it’s not only comparison that is the thief of joy, but it is procrastination.

If we didn’t procrastinate on our goals or what God asks of us, we wouldn’t compare ourselves as much. Though we may struggle with distractions, we would understand our unique journey and stay focused with God’s guidance. We would see others pursuing their purpose while we pursue ours, no longer distracted or procrastinating, but prioritizing God’s call.

So, if comparison is a result of procrastination, then what is procrastination the result of? It is simply a result of sin and a lack of trust in God. Now I know you might say that’s not true and that you do trust God but hear me out. 

John Grohol, a psychologist, and founder of Psych Central, says that there are three main reasons people procrastinate: 

A person overestimates the amount of time left to perform a task and underestimates the amount of time required to complete it.

They also overestimate the amount of motivation they’ll have in the future (often believing they will be more motivated to do the task in the future).

Others believe that they need to be in the right mood to be successful in completing the task and that, if they’re not in the right mood, they won’t be very successful at the task.

And he goes even further to say that the main roots of people procrastinating is because they are perfectionists, are fearful of not completing the task successfully, or are simply too disorganized with their time and resources.

Friends, it is a sin and a lack of trust in God when we procrastinate because we don’t believe that:

1. God has already given us all the tools that we need.

2. That we need to do it right now, and we fall into the sin of thinking we have more time.

3. We are lazy or disorganized with our time because we have not yet surrendered our schedules to God.

So, in these next few days, I want to give you some practical and biblical tools to help you. Let’s take a look at each one.

1. We don’t believe that God has already given us all the tools that we need.

We know that we have something that God has placed on our hearts that we really want to do. An idea, a message, the desire to help, etc. But we brush off the idea, or we keep saying “I’m going to do it” and we never get to it because we don’t think that we have what it takes to get it done, or we’re afraid that we won’t be able to successfully accomplish the task or the assignment. But the truth is, any assignment that God asks you to do is not going to be something that you think you can do. The purpose of this is so that God can gain all the glory and that you do not fall into the sin of pride.

But you have to learn to trust God enough to step out and complete what he is asking you to do, trusting that he has already equipped you with every tool that you need. Sometimes you won’t see these tools until you start moving forward. But if you could see all the tools now, then this would not be trust nor would it be faith. So if you are struggling to believe that you are able to accomplish the task or assignment on hand, and you are struggling to feel that you have all the tools that you need, then I want you to take some time to meditate on the following scriptures:

“May he equip you with all you need for doing his will. May he produce in you, through the power of Jesus Christ, every good thing that is pleasing to him. All glory to him forever and ever! Amen.” Hebrews 13:21

“All Scripture is God-breathed and is useful for teaching, rebuking, correcting and training in righteousness, so that the servant of God may be thoroughly equipped for every good work.” 2 Timothy 3:16-17

“There are different kinds of spiritual gifts, but the same Spirit is the source of them all. There are different kinds of service, but we serve the same Lord. God works in different ways, but it is the same God who does the work in all of us. A spiritual gift is given to each of us so we can help each other.” 1 Corinthians 12:4-7

2. We don’t believe that we need to do it right now, and we fall into the sin of thinking we have more time.

Why is it a sin to think that we have more time? Because time is holy, and we have so little of it. Life on this side of Heaven is short, and it is quite selfish of us to believe that we have more time. More time to share the gospel, more time to serve Christ on earth, or more time to pursue the things God has called us to. Time is a precious gift from the Lord and to waste it through laziness, procrastination, and an unorganized schedule is a sin. We were placed on this earth for the specific purpose of serving God. For us to waste it away with the things that we are so distracted by is unfaithfulness to God. Here are three main scriptures that are wonderful reminders of why the time will always be now:

“When clouds are heavy, the rains come down. Whether a tree falls north or south, it stays where it falls. Farmers who wait for perfect weather never plant. If they watch every cloud, they never harvest.” Ecclesiastes 11:3-4

“You lazy fool, look at an ant. Watch it closely; let it teach you a thing or two. Nobody has to tell it what to do. All summer it stores up food; at harvest it stockpiles provisions. So how long are you going to laze around doing nothing? How long before you get out of bed? A nap here, a nap there, a day off here, a day off there, sit back, take it easy—do you know what comes next?” Proverbs 6:6-11

“For in him all things were created: things in heaven and on earth, visible and invisible, whether thrones or powers or rulers or authorities; all things have been created through him and for him.” Colossians 1:16

3. We are lazy or disorganized with our time because we have not yet surrendered our schedules to God. 

I believe this point is one of the main reasons most people procrastinate. They are simply disorganized with their time, and they have not yet surrendered their schedules to God. What does it mean to surrender your schedule to God? It means that you create your schedule around your time with him, not fit your time with him into your schedule.

It means that you wake up every day with the awareness that the reason you woke up in the first place is through him and for him (Colossians 1:16), and it means that you have the understanding that in any given moment, the second coming of Christ can take place and that as long as you still have breath in your lungs, then you are given yet another chance. We have got to do better with organizing our time. One of the hardest things to ever see or hear is when someone is on their deathbed, and they are regretful or wish they had more time.

So I say to you again, if you have breath in your lungs, then the purpose of your every breath is for God and God alone. It is not for the things that waste your time away. It is for the one who gifted you the time in the first place. Your responsibilities in life, such as family, career, school, etc. Are also gifts from God and should never replace him. Ask him to give you wisdom in stewarding the things he has given you and put in the intentional work to wake up every day with a renewed mind that you are awake for a very purpose, and it is not to serve self but to serve God.

Surrender. Trust. Serve.

“Don’t waste your time on useless work, mere busywork, the barren pursuits of darkness. Expose these things for the sham they are. It’s a scandal when people waste their lives on things they must do in the darkness where no one will see. Rip the cover off those frauds and see how attractive they look in the light of Christ. Wake up from your sleep, climb out of your coffins; Christ will show you the light! So watch your step. Use your head. Make the most of every chance you get. These are desperate times! Don’t live carelessly, unthinkingly. Make sure you understand what the Master wants.” Ephesians 5:15-17 MSG

“Look carefully then how you walk, not as unwise but as wise, making the best use of the time because the days are evil. Therefore, do not be foolish, but understand what the will of the Lord is.” Ephesians 5:15-17 ESV

 “So teach us to number our days that we may get a heart of wisdom.” Psalm 90:12

“Now listen, you who say, Today or tomorrow we will go to such and such a town, stay there a year, conduct business, and make money. You do not know what tomorrow will bring. What is your life? You are a mist that appears for a little while and then vanishes.” James 4:13-14

“In all hard work there is profit, but merely talking about it only brings poverty.” Proverbs 14:23 

“Never be lazy, but work hard and serve the Lord enthusiastically.” Romans 12:11

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