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Verse:Therefore, as the Holy Spirit says: “Today, if you will hear His voice, Do not harden your hearts as in the rebellion, In the day of trial in the wilderness.” —Hebrews 3:7, 8
Some stolen objects can be recovered or at least replaced.
But opportunities that are missed may not recur, and time, once spent, never returns. One of the greatest enemies of time is procrastination —postponing personal decisions and actions. The English poet and dramatist Edward Young (1683–1765) wrote, “Procrastination is the thief of time.” And an anonymous quote warns us, “Procrastinate now and panic later.” The famous evangelist Dwight L. Moody (1837–1899) was conducting an evangelistic campaign in Chicago. On the night of Sunday, October 8, 1871, he preached a powerful sermon based on Matthew 27:22, “What then shall I do with Jesus who is called Christ?” At the end of his message, he asked the congregation to reflect on this text during the next week and return a week later with their decision on what to do with Jesus of Nazareth. Soon after he finished his sermon, the Great Chicago Fire broke out, killing many and destroying large portions of the city.
Moody deeply regretted having given people a week to think about their personal decision for Christ. From then on, he always asked his audience to decide for Christ at the very meeting they were attending. Procrastination is often an excuse to avoid responsibility. As a popular proverb says, “I’m very busy doing things I don’t need to do in order to avoid doing anything I’m actually supposed to be doing.” Unfortunately, many things we postpone “just for a while” we end up postponing forever.
That was what happened with Felix, who told Paul, “Go away for now; when I have a convenient time I will call for you” (Acts 24:25).
But that “convenient time” never came. If you tend to procrastinate, then today —or, even better, right now— is a good time to improve your decision-making skills for your own benefit and for the sake of those who depend on you.
If you have delayed making your decision for Christ, let me remind you that the Bible says the time of salvation is today.
We can live only in the present, and today is another chance for you to make or reaffirm your commitment to Christ.