Procrastination is literally one of my greatest struggles at the moment. I'm sure I am not alone in this either. As a student approaching the end of my final year at University I'm up against those last few thousands words, the last few presentations, the last few weeks to revise for exams, and perhaps most importantly the last few chances to evangelise with course-mates... I literally have weeks to get through.
Right now, those few weeks seem like a lifetime. The pile of work just doesn't seem to be getting smaller - but this has all come down to my incredible ability to procrastinate: I'm doing it right now by writing this post.
I opened an email today titled '8 Ways to Defeat the Dissertation' (I really should have been opening up Word Document to just write the damn thing but alas the little red message alert was calling out to me). At first I was weary of the message - I'd heard such things before; make mini deadlines, schedule out your days, take regular breaks, plan fun stuff with friends to look forward to, blah blah but what really struck me at the end of the message, probably just a side note for the sender but a revelation to me(!), was this:
"...allow me to remind you that your dissertation is profoundly significant. It’s not just words on a page, slowing accumulating to the limit you need for hand in. Though, we’re tempted to think like that, aren’t we? They are profoundly significant. You are creatively engaging with the world and mirroring God’s creative activity as you form, fill and cultivate your dissertation. This is a divine privilege and a deeply significant outworking of your humanity."
I don't know about yours, but my dissertation is about the extent of Child Trafficking within the UK and the way in which it is, and could be, regulated within the UK. Not an easy subject. When I first started my research all those weeks ago I was reduced to tears from the information I was finding (a wee bit embarrassing when sat in the Library). In a country like ours - when so many do live whole and satisfying lives - there are many young children who just don't. If I hadn't chosen this topic to study I would not have known the true extent to such an underground problem, on my own doorstep, and would not have felt the urge to do something about it.
As a Christian I believe that we are all called to reach out to all people - to share what we have with those around us. But not just that, but to be clued up about the injustices that are occurring in this world and knowing how, through God's strength, we can be making changes. I believe this simply because the Bible tells me so;
"Seek Justice, rescue the oppressed, defend the orphan, plead for the widow." - Isaiah 1 v 17
I know that I am able - just as you are because...
"...we are God's handiwork, created in Christ Jesus to do good works, which God prepared in advance for us to do" - Ephesians 2 v 10
When I first started my course I never knew that I would have such a heart for young people but it turns out I do. My dissertation is a good a place as any to ignite this passion - to create awareness of child trafficking and getting clued up on governmental policies tackling the issue. From there maybe I could go further with getting involved in existing organisations, advocating for child victims. Who knows where this will lead me. But praise God, I am genuinely motivated to get started again.
Who'd have thought a Saturday morning could bring me so much inspiration.
blakekathryn
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