This story shows that a big part of setting and meeting your goals is avoiding being bogged down by a culture of constant urgency. The problem is that most of us don’t understand the difference between the urgent and the important. And once we do, we’ll recognize that the urgent is the enemy of the important.
A story is told about three apprentice devils who were coming to Earth to finish their apprenticeship. They were talking to Satan, the king of the devils, about their plans to tempt and ruin humanity.
The first said, “I will tell them there’s no God.” The Devil said, “No, that is not going to work. People know there is a God.”
The second one said, “I will tell them there’s no Hell.” “No,” the Devil said, “Most people, deep down in their hearts, know there is a Hell and a judgment to come.”
The third said, “I will tell them there’s no hurry.” “Go,” said Satan, “and you will ruin them by the thousands.”
That is how procrastination works. It doesn’t say, “I’m not going to do it.” That is too final, too absolute. Rather, procrastination says, “I’ll get around to it later.” Procrastination is “the act of willfully delaying the doing of something that should be done.” And many spend their lives letting the URGENT crowd out the IMPORTANT.
The time God has given us is often utilized by:
- Urgently rushing from one appointment or meeting to another.
- Hurrying to meet deadlines.
- Substituting our time with the Lord with interruptions and distractions.
- Letting our phones, messages, and social media immediately capture our attention.
- Striving to make more money to be able to live in a larger house, drive a newer car, have nicer clothes, take special vacations, etc.
- Seeking achievements and recognition.
- Acquiring worldly knowledge.
- Striving to become more and more influential and important.
Earthly time may be spent trying to keep up with the Joneses, getting “ahead,” and letting the URGENT rule over what is really IMPORTANT.
Instead of storing up heavenly treasures, earthly treasures become a priority—even though they can’t last forever. These earthly treasures are subject to the thieves of fire, flood, war, natural or man-made disasters, illnesses, and death. Again, what is URGENT crowds out what is really IMPORTANT.
We can tell ourselves, “If only I have this or that, I’ll be happy. I’ll be satisfied.” Yet, when we finally get what we want, we may still feel empty and unfulfilled.
We live in a very fast-paced world, and while many Christians say Jesus is the most IMPORTANT thing in their lives, many struggle with fitting God into their daily agendas.
May we each strive as true Jesus followers to always find time for God, living our lives centered around Him. Let’s not procrastinate and not let the URGENT crowd out what is truly IMPORTANT.
What is important is seldom urgent and what is urgent is seldom important.
The Bible tells us, “For what shall it profit a man, if he gain the whole world and lose his soul.” – Mark 8:36
THERE IS ONE REALLY IMPORTANT QUESTION EACH OF US MUST NOT PROCRASTINATE TO ANSWER: WHERE WILL I SPEND ETERNITY?
Leave a Reply