SPIRITUAL PROCRASTINATION

Proverbs 1:28-33

"Then they will call to me but I will not answer; they will look for me but will not find me. Since they hated knowledge and did not choose to fear the LORD, since they would not accept my advice and spurned my rebuke, they will eat the fruit of their ways and be filled with the fruit of their schemes. For the waywardness of the simple will kill them, and the complacency of fools will destroy them; but whoever listens to me will live in safety and be at ease, without fear of harm."

The high school student who procrastinates long enough with a report that is due may find out that he did not leave himself enough time to get it done. The homeowner who procrastinates long enough with little projects around the house will eventually realize that his to-do list only gets longer and that one weekend in the summer will not be enough time to complete everything. The person looking for a part time job who procrastinates long enough will soon learn that the one job he would have liked to apply for is already taken.

What some people do in their earthly lives – procrastinate – they also do in their spiritual lives. Many people who reject God’s wisdom do so thinking that if this “God-stuff” is really that important then when they are sick or old or near death they’ll take a look at it. By then it may be too late. Like the rich fool in Jesus’ parable, God may demand their lives from them sooner than they anticipated. Or, a lifetime of spiritual procrastination and rejection hardens a heart to the point where even if they look for God later in life they will not find him.

Paul said, “Now is the day of salvation.” We might say, “Why put off to tomorrow what you can do today?” When it comes to God’s Word and the health of our faith we can’t afford to procrastinate. Rather, whoever listens to God will live in safety and be at ease without fear of harm.

PRAYER: Come, Holy Spirit, rekindle in my heart the fire of your love. Amen.