By Tope Banso
“If you wait for perfect conditions, you will never get anything done” (Ecclesiastes 11:4 New Living Translation).
Apostle John, writing in 1 John 2:7-8, says, “Dear friends, I am not writing a new commandment, for it is an old one you have always had, right from the beginning. This commandment — to love one another — is the same message you heard before. Yet it is also new. This commandment is true in Christ and is true among you, because the darkness is disappearing and the true light is already shining” (New Living Translation).
John said he wasn’t writing a new commandment, but also said he was writing a new commandment. Was he contradicting himself? No. It’s both old and new. He was simply saying that he was reminding the brethren of the commandment that had been communicated to them before. Though he wasn’t sharing with them an entirely new commandment, Jesus’ teaching on it was deeper.
Many people like to hear new things, but I am interested in what they did with what they had heard in the past. If there is any truth worth reiterating at this time, it is this: stop procrastinating. I have said it before and I need to repeat it today. It can make a difference between this year and the previous years in your life. English poet, Edward Young (1683-1765), said: “Procrastination is the thief of time.” But beyond that, procrastination is the thief of destiny.
The reason some people have not been able to make progress in life is procrastination – the negative habit of putting till a later date what one should have done. This could be because of laziness or because one was looking forward to a perfect time, which would never come. If you wait for a perfect time, you may wait till eternity.
This New Year, which is the beginning of a new decade, don’t postpone till a later date what you’re supposed to do today. The only perfect time is the time God is telling you to do something. It’s not the time when everything looks good, when you have much money for the project, when you have plenty of time, when everybody is supporting you, etc.
There are things that are better done when you’re young. To try to do them when you’re old could somehow be difficult, or sometimes be humanly impossible. Hosea 7:9b says, “Israel is like an old man with graying hair, unaware of how weak and old he has become” (New Living Translation). Idolatry had sapped their strength. Old age would make you weak and unable to do certain things.
Once the Spirit of God is moving you to do something now, go ahead to do it, even if physically speaking, it appears the time is not right. The time in future may even be ‘worse.’ Don’t hide under tomorrow; every tomorrow soon becomes today. “Procrastination is the grave in which opportunity is buried” (Anonymous).
Possess your possession now! Stop postponing the action you should take. Enough of unending planning – start! Joshua said to the children of Israel, “How long will you neglect to go and possess the land which the LORD God of your fathers has given you?” (Joshua 18:3 New King James Version). They were to begin to possess the land already given to them by God – no more delay; it was time for action.
You must know the time to pray and the time to act out your faith. There is spiritual work, and there is physical work. One can never be a substitute for the other. Pray, but be sure you also take physical steps that are appropriate as you’re led by God. Only then will you succeed. “Begin to weave and God will give you the thread” (German proverb).
When Moses was crying to God before the Red Sea, God didn’t say he should pray more. In fact, He rebuked him for crying to Him! It wasn’t time for more prayer or more crying to God; it was time for the right action! “Then the LORD said to Moses, ‘Why are you crying out to me? Tell the people to get moving! Use your shepherd’s staff — hold it out over the water, and a path will open up before you through the sea. Then all the people of Israel will walk through on dry ground” (Exodus 14:15-16 New Living Translation).
Don’t wait for big bucks (a lot of money) before you start; start with the little you have. It’s your seed for breakthrough. Think big but start small. Look from where you are; start from where you are, not from where someone else is (Genesis 13:14).
Don’t wish you have this or that; use what you have. Don’t despise your five loaves of bread and two small fish (Matthew 14:17; John 6:9). Don’t despise the little oil in your house (2 Kings 4:2). Don’t call your pot of oil “nothing.” Don’t go and bury your one talent (Matthew 25:24-25).
You may have read me in the past say start writing that book, that project, that course, that training, that business, etc. now! But did you do anything about it? Reading it is not enough; doing is what is important. Don’t wait for a better time. There may be no better time than now.
Everyday has its own trouble. Jesus said, “Today’s trouble is enough for today” (Matthew 6:34b New Living Translation). Paul said, “Make the most of every opportunity for doing good in these evil days” (Ephesians 5:16 New Living Translation). Stop procrastinating!
If you’re not born again, repent of your sins today and accept Jesus as your Lord and Saviour. Whoever comes to Him, He will by no means cast out.
PRAYER POINT: Father, deliver me from procrastination this year. Help me not to waste or miss my opportunities.
This is wisdom for living, and it’s worth sharing. Please share.
(For over 250 in-depth and insightful messages by T.O. Banso, visit: www.cedarministry.org).
▪ Banso, Cedar Ministry International, Abuja,cedarministryintl@yahoo.com, cedarministryng@gmail.com
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