So, for two months now, I’ve known that when we go on vacation, I’m going to end up playing golf with my brother in law, who, by the way, is quite good and plays a lot. I decided at the time that I would start going to the nearby driving range and start working on my swing. At least that way, I won’t be completely embarrased on the links. Well, vacation is a week and a half away, and guess how many times I’ve hit the range. That’s right. Zero. I’m guessing our golf game will be more like a scavenger hunt in the woods.


Procrastination! The results are not always as simple as an embarrasing day on the golf course, Procrastination puts you on the edge. It causes anxiety and insomnia. A study of procrastinating college students found that they had weaker immune systems. It robs our work of quality. It sacrifices relationships.

Why do we do it?  Psychologists say that it has to do with the avoidance of pain. They’ve pointed out that most of us would rather be seen as lacking in effort instead of ability. Rebellion is another cause. Apparently, people with overly authoritarian parents tend use procrastination as a way of asserting their individuality or some control. Whatever the reason, procrastination sets us up for failure and disappointment.

In the Old Testament book of Haggai, we find the people procrastinating. God addresses them:
This is what the LORD Almighty says: “These people say, ‘The time has not yet come to rebuild the LORD’s house.’” 3 Then the word of the LORD came through the prophet Haggai: 4 “Is it a time for you yourselves to be living in your paneled houses, while this house remains a ruin?”
It’s not yet time, they say. Yet, they seem to have time for their own interests. It doesn’t seem to matter that God has had them released from captivity in Babylon so that His house could be rebuilt. It doesn’t seem to matter. In reality, in their minds, it could matter so much that they can’t get the courage to start doing it. They could feel guilty for not starting earlier.  They could be deeply ashamed for stopping their work on the Lord’s house because of opposition from their enemies.

It appears to me that a lot of people (that’s kind of like saying, “I have a friend who”—this is a road I know too well), put off building their relationship with God, put off taking steps of faith, waiting for a more opportune time. I’ll start serving when my kids are out of the house. I’ll start giving when I can afford it. I’ll ask for forgiveness when I’ve earned the right to. I’ll start…
I’ll share my faith when I feel more confident about it… What’s your excuse?  More opportune times rarely, if ever, come.

Well, that’s uncomfortable. Come to think of it, I’d better stop and check my e-mail.

Yours for the journey,
Pastor Tom