“I treasure your word above all else; it keeps me from sinning against you.” (Psalm 119:11 Contemporary English Version)
What do the three things in today’s title have in common? You might have answered it the minute you read the heading, guessing correctly that these are things that many people don’t do as required in a timely manner. You can add to it, rotating your bedroom mattress when the season changes. We pass by the furnace, promising to put in the new, nearby filter that is standing, awaiting it’s turn in the corner of the basement, day after day. “Tomorrow,” we say. We set our own oil change schedule, ignoring the three to five thousand miles that have passed since the last oil change. Who wins procrastination or prudence? Often it is the former, and not the latter. And when it comes to the doctor’s orders, we choose to delay complying with the diet and exercise routine she/he prescribes, at least until the week before our next appointment. Who wins, our well-being or the kindly expressed wrath of the doctor who increases our meditations as a result of our choices, or we, the patients? I think we know the answer to these questions as well as the consequences that come from procrastinating and delaying to do what is better for us and can benefit others, including our loved ones.
When it comes to reading God’s word, and responding to His word, the same foes fight us; procrastination and delaying. We intently hear the messages on Sunday, as we did yesterday. We left our sanctuaries inspired. We even went as far as to be included in the ranks who agree with the words of the Psalmist in the familiar verse above. But here comes procrastination, marching into battle in synch with delaying, aiming to keep you from your inclination to react, respond, and rest in the truth of God’s word. You postpone, okay let me say it another way, others postpone mixing the message we heard into their personal lives. Keep in mind that procrastination and delaying to respond as the Lord would like us to respond, face some pretty tough, but conquerable friends of our adversaries and join in to go against you: Satan, the Secular World, and Self. For those “other” people, they end up with the same type of consequences when you don’t change your furnace filter, get your oil changed, flip your mattress, or follow the doctor’s orders as prescribed. There are consequences and others around will be robbed of the benefit of obeying; doing what The Doctor, God Almighty, prescribed to you yesterday through His sent messengers
Okay that is what happens with the “other people,” but not for you! You are not going to let procrastination and delaying, even with their friends, have the victory this week. That will not be the case with you. Your inclinations and intentions will transform into positive and heaven preferred actions. Am I right? Have a great Monday! Be blessed!
Still committed to the climb,
Mark L. King