While speaking to a group a few months ago about sin, I mentioned the seven deadly sins: anger, envy, greed, gluttony, lust, pride and slothfulness. When I addressed the sin of slothfulness, I asked Jeanne if I was guilty of being lazy.

“No, not you, but you procrastinate as much as anybody. You are always busy doing little things you like, but put off major projects,” she said.

I couldn’t argue because I’ve heard that the truth will set you free, even though it might sting a little. Procrastination is a good word for wasting time.

When I call, I often ask my grandchildren, “What are you doing?”

Ninety-five percent of the time, they answer, “Nothing.”

My response is “The problem with doing nothing is you never know when you’re finished.”

Chuck Swindoll, one of my favorite Christian speakers and authors, suggests five ways to waste time.

The first one is to worry a lot. We don’t have to look for things to worry about. The newspaper is a good way to start a negative day with lots of bad news to keep you worried.

Second, make hard and fast predictions. We do that when we forget what the Bible says in the fourth chapter of James, “You do not know what your life will be like tomorrow.” That doesn’t mean you don’t plan like you’ll live forever but live each day as though it’s your last.

Third, fix your attention on getting rich. Any one can get a lot of innovative ideas from secular bookshelves or attending “get rich quick” seminars and high-pressure sales meetings.

Fourth, compare yourself with others. That’s a real time-waster. Never forget that you are unique, and God’s plan for your life is not to be compared with other plans.

Finally, lengthen your list of enemies. I don’t have a problem with that. If you’re as opinionated as I am, they seem to come out of the woodwork.

How much time are you already wasting on some of these things?

If you have any questions or comments, please write to Get High on Life, P.O. Drawer U, Reserve, LA 70084, call 985-652-8477, or email hkeller@comcast.net.