I wrote this article, putting it off for a couple of weeks because I didn’t have the time to write it. However, I had the time to do other things, dare say I, even leisurely things, while I was very busy with official duties. In the process, I began to reflect on the concept of procrastination I, and perhaps, other believers might procrastinate. Is it a question of people taking up more responsibilities that they can reasonably handle, or a case of misplaced priorities that we put things off for tomorrow that we can do today? Is there a semblance of comfort or ease in the notion that we always have tomorrow waiting for us? After all, Christians should believe that Christ can come any time and we’ll be raptured to meet him in the twinkling of an eye (1 Corinthians 15:51,52), “Behold, I shew you a mystery; We shall not all sleep, but we shall all be changed, in a moment, in the twinkling of an eye, at the last trump: for the trumpet shall sound, and the dead shall be raised incorruptible, and we shall be changed.”
Again, if I believe Matthew 24:40, 42, 44, “Then shall two be in the field; the one shall be taken, and the other left. Watch therefore: for he know not what hour your Lord doth come. Therefore be ye also ready: for in such an hour as ye think not the Son of man cometh”. Why do I leave the things that I have to do, like Felix, for a more convenient time (Acts 24:25), “And as he reasoned of righteousness, temperance, and judgement to come, Felix trembled, and answered, Go thy way for this time; when I have a convenient season, I will call for thee.” The Bible did not record the more convenient time because after two years had passed, Festus replaced Felix in that office. Thinking out loud, I wonder where Felix is spending his eternity, and whether, looking back at the time, he regrets not believing in the Son of God when he was able to. The point is we don’t know tomorrow, and scripture says that tomorrow will take care of itself (Matthew 6:34), so why put off today, tomorrow’s problem? We should instead focus on the problem we see today, rather than putting it off for tomorrow that we don’t see. The continuation of that verse says, sufficient for the day is the evil thereof, so if we don’t take care of today’s evil, we’re compounding the evil of tomorrow on the one hand, and by putting it off, we’re not being equipped with the required lessons we would have gained, had we tackled today’s challenges. Quite an interesting thought.
Another question I think is does the concept of grace or hope, the belief that tomorrow would be better, or that we are handing over things into God’s hand, or the hymn that says, “many things about tomorrow, I don’t seem to understand, but I know who holds tomorrow, and I know he holds my hands” give us that sense of confidence to push things off until tomorrow? I don’t think it should do that. By handing things to God’s hands, it means that because we are uncertain about tomorrow, or the next minute, we should make the best of today or the current minute we have to make everything count for us. October 2021 to April 2025 is exactly 3 years and 6 months. That’s how much time it took Jesus to come, raise disciples, walk on earth, heal the sick, raise the dead, deliver the oppressed, go to Calvary, be crucified, die, and resurrect for us to have eternal life—the impact of Christ’s sacrifice still ministers to nations and generations, over two thousand years ago. No wonder Jesus said, I must work the work of him that sent me, while it is day (John 9:4).
Thinking of that, I’m asking myself, Jamael, who sent me to do this work? Please join me and ask yourself the same question in everything you’re doing. Who sent you? Perhaps, the lack of revelational knowledge of the omnipotent, omniscient, omnipresent God being our source, strength, shield, and the one to whom we would give account at the end of life, makes it hard to focus solely and squarely on His work and put in the right effort. Since God is with me, what is his disposition as I keep shifting things? If I pray, and he delays to answer, how would I act/feel, or react? Perhaps it’s more a question of our knowledge and intimacy with him that makes us live independently of God for all intents and purposes, whilst we profess and call upon his name and come to his presence every time. The scriptures about those who didn’t do all they could do in a day don’t have pleasant endings. Joshua had a legitimate excuse to stop the battle, but the sun had to stand still for them since the fight wasn't over. Don’t stop when you’re tired, end when today’s job is done. It’s a mindset of a spiritual man.
I have realized that procrastination isn’t of God. Believers, especially me, shouldn’t procrastinate. It shouldn’t characterize the habit or culture of a man cultivated by the Almighty. As I plan for the day, I ask for grace for each day. If I put things off, perhaps I haven’t utilized the grace available for that day. Jesus rose up a great while before day and went to a quiet place. Perhaps a change in environment, removing distracting elements that hamper and reduce a man's mind, would help Christians no longer procrastinate.
PRAYER POINT
Father, I repent for my past procrastination. Please help me to live in the moment and make the most of the grace that is available to me. I don’t want to lose it through neglect. When difficult times come, may I be sustained by your grace. Amen
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