A fable is told about three apprentice devils that were coming to Earth to finish their apprenticeship. They were talking to Satan, the king of the devils, about their plans to tempt and ruin humanity.
The first said, “I will tell them there’s no God.”
The Devil said, “No, that is not going to work. People know there is a God.”
The second one said, “I will tell them there’s no Hell.”
“No,” the Devil said, “Most people, deep down in their hearts, know there is a Hell and a judgment to come.”
The third said, “I will tell them there’s no hurry.”
“Go,” said Satan, “and you will ruin them by the thousands.”
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That is how procrastination works. It doesn’t say, “I’m not going to do it.” That is too final, too absolute. Rather, procrastination says, “I’ll get around to it later.”
- Author Unknown
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Procrastination is “the act of willfully delaying the doing of something that should be done.” So many of us spend our lives letting the URGENT crowd out the IMPORTANT. We often utilize the time God has given us by:
* Urgently rushing from one appointment or meeting to another.
* Hurrying to meet deadlines.
* Substituting our time with the Lord with interruptions and distractions.
* Letting our phones, messages and social media immediately capture our attention.
* Striving to make more money to be able to live in a larger house, drive a newer car, have nicer clothes, take special vacations, etc.
* Seeking achievements and recognition.
* Acquiring worldly knowledge.
* Striving to become more and more powerful and important.
Many spend their time on earth trying to keep up with the Joneses, getting “ahead” and letting the URGENT rule over what is really IMPORTANT.
Store up heavenly treasures rather than storing away only earthly treasures that won’t last forever. These earthly treasures are subject to the thieves of fire, flood, war, natural or man-made disasters, illnesses, and death. Don’t let the URGENT crowd out what is really IMPORTANT.
We can tell ourselves, “If only I have this or that, I’ll be happy. I’ll be satisfied.” Yet, when we finally get what we want, many may still feel empty and unfulfilled.
We live in a very fast-paced world, and while many Christians say Jesus is the most IMPORTANT thing in their lives, many struggle with fitting God into their daily agendas.
May we each strive as a true Jesus follower to always find time for God, living our lives centered around Him. Let’s not procrastinate and let the URGENT crowd out what is truly IMPORTANT.
The Bible tells us “For what shall it profit a man, if he gain the whole world and lose his soul.” – Mark 8:36
THERE IS ONE REALLY IMPORTANT QUESTION EACH OF US MUST NOT PROCRASTINATE TO ANSWER: WHERE WILL I SPEND ETERNITY?
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Come now, you who say, “Today or tomorrow we will go into such and such a town and spend a year there and trade and make a profit”— yet you do not know what tomorrow will bring. What is your life? For you are a mist that appears for a little time and then vanishes. James 4:13-14 ESV
Look carefully then how you walk, not as unwise but as wise, making the best use of the time, because the days are evil. Therefore do not be foolish, but understand what the will of the Lord is. Ephesians 5:15-17 ESV
“We live by demands when we should live by priorities.” - J. A. Motyer
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