I tell you that the „right time” is now, and the “day of salvation” is now.
2 Corinthians 6:2, NCV
Let me begin with a confession: procrastination has been a challenge for me all my life, and that’s why I developed, many years ago, the mantra “Do it now.” I’ve found through the years that this mantra has helped me to stay on top of the many things I had to do and kept me from being late or falling behind. But I’ve also found that as I get more mature (older), my mantra is harder to follow. I realize that’s because my list of things to do has been increasing; and on many days, the list is just too long to fulfill. So what do I do?
Well, one thing I have done is to say no a bit more often. I’ve also learned that I must delegate more items to my staff or my family. I can’t do it all.
From conversations with other women, I’ve found that there are many areas of life in which we procrastinate: Beginning an exercise schedule. Pursuing higher education. Making that appointment for a mammogram that we’ve put off for the past few years.
We also find procrastination reflected in smaller arenas of our lives: delaying the housecleaning, not hemming a dress until wanting to wear it, or even delaying that call to a friend who may be sick.
As I thought on this topic of procrastination, one troubling question came to mind: Are we, as Christians, procrastinating when it comes to preparing for the second coming of Jesus? How many times have we said to ourselves, “I’ll start reading the Bible through at the beginning of next year so that I can start at the beginning.” Or “When life slows down, I’ll find time to attend the Bible study group.”
So many reasons for putting off spiritual preparation, and each one seems like a good reason. Yet at the beginning of this new year, I thank God that the Holy Spirit keeps calling us to a deeper and more meaningful relationship with Jesus, which brings me to our text for today.
Paul admonishes the Corinthians, “I tell you that the ‘right time’ is now, and the ‘day of salvation’ is now.” I must admit to hearing and using these words in many evangelistic meetings when making an appeal for someone to give his or her life to Jesus. But I realize these words apply to all who put off salvation for another day when today is all we have.
From In His Presence ©2018 by General Conference Women’s Ministries Department