The Ministry of Writing

Souls Perish from Procrastination in Writing

August 7, 2015

One of the most beautiful passages in Scripture that expresses God’s providence, as well as, being one of the most challenging passages to me is Esther 4:14,

             For if you remain silent at this time, relief and deliverance for the Jews will arise from another place, but you and your father’s family            will perish. And who knows but that you have come to royal position for such a time as this?

I am sure you are familiar with the story, but Esther who is a Jew is providentially brought into the position to be the Queen of Persia. Esther’s uncle receives word that a plan was underway to exterminate all of the Jews. He approaches Esther and requests that she speak to the King and intervene on behalf of her people. The words recorded in verse fourteen are the words her uncle used the encourage her. He tells her that God has placed her in her position at the right time for the very purpose of saving her people.

Esther’s privileged position as Queen now is a double-edged sword. She has a dreaded and difficult task of approaching the King. The buck could not be passed she had to be the one to do this, and to cut the suspense — she did it.

But what if Esther had drug her feet?

What if she continued to question God, asking if it really was what He wanted her to do?

What if she lingered praying to make sure she was hearing God right?

What if she spent time waiting on the right words?

What if she didn’t think her speech was good enough and never spoke to the King?

What if she just put the task off?

If she had procrastinated for any period of time, regardless of how good her reason would have been then her people would have perished. Esther had been given a task. It was difficult. It could be considered unfair. She faced it alone. She was in unprecedented territory. She might be mocked. She might even be killed. Esther’s God-given task was vitally important, and so are the words God has told you to write down.

It is easy to feel as if our writing is no big deal and that we have valid excuses, but souls hang in the balance in need of the words we have not put on paper. Click To Tweet

I just finished a blog post I was “given” over a month ago. Heck, I just began taking writing serious three years ago when I have felt I needed to for fifteen years. I am the chief of procrastinators. I also have good excuses.

  • I am not the best writer.
  • I need to become better at my craft.
  • I am busy as a pastor. I am already doing ministry.
  • My family needs me.

I could go on. All valid excuses. All reasons to procrastinate. All causes for souls to perish.

If God has given you something to say, then it is important.

He gave it to you. Therefore it is your responsibility. At the minimum if you don’t do it, someone else will get that chance.

But even at that souls will perish in the meantime.

But it could be that the message is not given to someone else.

Our procrastination in writing is costly.

Souls hang in the balance. You better get to writing because “who knows but that you have [been given this story or message] for such a time as this.”

 

 

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  • Leigh Ann Thomas August 7, 2015 at 11:24 am

    Wow, thanks Jake! Now THAT’S motivation!

    • Jake McCandless - The Ministry of Writing August 9, 2015 at 1:32 pm

      Leigh Ann thank you! If only i could remember it myself, lol. I don’t know about you but i fight an internal struggle all the time if the particular writing or message is even vital to share. I need to remember if God has stirred my heart to write it or say it then i better do it

  • Cherrilynn Bisbano August 7, 2015 at 11:35 am

    Jake, This is an amazing article. My blog post this week is about procrastination. God must be telling His children to stop dragging their feet. I would love you to read it and let me know what you think. http://pelicanpromise.blogspot.com/

    • Jake McCandless - The Ministry of Writing August 9, 2015 at 1:34 pm

      Cherrilynn thank you for sharing. I am definitely checking out your post. i agree with you the Lord is encouraging us not to drag our feet. I am working on a project about prophecy and i was telling my friend and he said, “You better hurry the world is going to be over before you finish your book about the end of the world”.

  • John Christopher August 7, 2015 at 12:52 pm

    Jake, that was really good stuff. You wrote it well in a small amount of space, and that is hard to do. And it also convicted me. I have felt that same calling, and I put it off all the time. I had a few articles published a few years ago, but then got derailed. I know I need to get back into it. So, I appreciate the encouragement and pointed exhortation to do what I know I should. Keep up the good work.

  • Lisa August 8, 2015 at 9:48 am

    Thank you for this direct, and much needed push! Your words hit home. And just before reading this I was praying and admitting my son of procrastination. Hmmm!
    I have been avoiding an email that would cause me much work for a new websit that I know is my next purpose.
    God has indeed worked today… through your words.
    Your faithfulness has been a gift.

    • Jake McCandless - The Ministry of Writing August 9, 2015 at 1:38 pm

      Lisa, thank you! And I appreciate you pointing out it is not just our writing, but everything the Spirit prompts us to do carries the same weight.

  • Marva Atterberry August 8, 2015 at 3:08 pm

    Thank you so much for that word. I believe that God allowed me to see this website. Every time I try to write I freeze up. After reading this I know that I have to write and believe God that it will bless others. God bless you for your obedience in encouraging others to do the same.

  • Jake McCandless - The Ministry of Writing August 9, 2015 at 1:30 pm

    Leigh Ann thank you! If only i could remember it myself, lol. I don’t know about you but i fight an internal struggle all the time if the particular writing or message is even vital to share. I need to remember if God has stirred my heart to write it or say it then i better do it.

  • Tessa Emily Hall August 10, 2015 at 11:55 am

    This was so good! I think many Christian writers view their craft as a hobby–something they try to squeeze in when they can–rather than a priority, or a ministry. But the enemy will do everything he can to prevent us from putting words to paper and continue furthering our career as a writer.

    Thank you for this reminder!

    Tessa Emily Hall
    christiswrite.blogspot.com

    • Jake McCandless - The Ministry of Writing August 10, 2015 at 12:11 pm

      Thank you for the feedback. Great point – as you said what we do is vital. I could spend all day listing the things that have been written that has transformed me, I’m so glad those writers obeyed God’s prompting.

  • Mose August 13, 2015 at 4:44 am

    I do love the manner in which you have presented this specific issue plus it really does present us some fodder for thought. Nonetheless, from what I have personally seen, I really wish when other remarks pack on that men and women stay on issue and don’t get started on a soap box of the news of the day. Still, thank you for this exceptional piece and though I do not really concur with this in totality, I respect the viewpoint.

    • Jake McCandless - The Ministry of Writing August 18, 2015 at 3:12 pm

      And i respect you for the openness to respect someone’s work even if not the entirety of the message or to what the message leads. Thank you.

  • Jake McCandless - The Ministry of Writing August 25, 2015 at 8:39 am

    Maybe we need to write with even more urgency – http://graytotebox.com/rumor-has-it-that-its-going-down-in-september/

  • Jake McCandless - The Ministry of Writing February 9, 2016 at 10:48 am

    I had to reread this today and let the Lord use it to give me a swift kick in the butt…don’t let the enemy, yourself, or circumstances get in your head and tell you what you are writing doesn’t matter. it does. It is vital.