---

Bible Reading Plan

Reading Plan: Luke 6:37-42

“Do not judge, and you will not be judged. Do not condemn, and you will not be condemned. Forgive, and you will be forgiven. Give, and it will be given to you. A good measure, pressed down, shaken together and running over, will be poured into your lap. For with the measure you use, it will be measured to you.”

He also told them this parable: “Can the blind lead the blind? Will they not both fall into a pit? The student is not above the teacher, but everyone who is fully trained will be like their teacher.

Why do you look at the speck of sawdust in your brother’s eye and pay no attention to the plank in your own eye? How can you say to your brother, ‘Brother, let me take the speck out of your eye,’ when you yourself fail to see the plank in your own eye? You hypocrite, first take the plank out of your eye, and then you will see clearly to remove the speck from your brother’s eye.

•••

Daily Devotional: Procrastinator Wars

“Why do you look at the speck of sawdust in your brother’s eye and pay no attention to the plank in your own eye? How can you say to your brother, ‘Let me take the speck out of your eye,’ when all the time there is a plank in your own eye? You hypocrite, first take the plank out of your own eye, and then you will see clearly to remove the speck from your brother’s eye.

Matthew 7:3-5

I’m more of a procrastinator than a planner. I hit deadlines, but usually at the last possible minute. I’ve learned strategies to tackle projects more sanely. I’ve vowed to “do better” so I’m not as frenzied leading up to the finish. I’ve even recruited people to help me stay ahead of my commitments and say no to shiny opportunities that woo me along the way. But in the end, I put off what I can do today because I’ll eventually do it tomorrow. (If you’re like me, you probably won’t read today’s devotional until Friday!)

Why do I confess? Because there’s a plank in my eye and sawdust in yours. Waiting on fellow procrastinators drives me crazy. I get anxious and agitated. I step in to help without being asked. I feel like having to wait is rude and a waste of everyone’s time. And I regrettably start placing blame as soon as we cross the line from one time to overdue. Then, if there are errors or obvious improvements needed, I point out how this could have been avoided if procrastinating hadn’t held us back. (I’m sincerely sorry to anyone reading this who’s suffered because of my procrastination or my exasperated reaction to it!)

I too often have a tree trunk blocking my vision when it comes to procrastination. I don’t know what it is for you—Punctuality? Safe driving? Listening before giving advice? Telling the truth? Not over-indulging? Apologizing for being wrong? The list of potential “plank in my eye, sawdust in yours” issues is lengthy. But the heart of Jesus’ challenge to us is clear: What do I scrutinize in others that I have a hard time admitting about me?

Instead of declaring war over procrastination or whatever issue trips you up, there’s wisdom in living out the Sermon on the Mount. We can avoid hypocrite status by dealing with our faults first instead of finger pointing. This doesn’t mean the other person is blameless. Rather, when we own our imperfection compared to Christ, it opens our eyes to see the truth more clearly, others more graciously, and a way forward together more productively.

Next Steps

What is a behavior that consistently bothers you when you do it and even more when others do it? When was the last time this happened and how did you deal with it? Take a moment to pray about this “plank in my eye, sawdust in yours” situation. Ask God for a healthy step to take that will strengthen your relationship with this person.