Don’t Put It Off

Don’t Put It Off

When they got up the next morning, [Eleazar] said, “Send me on my way to my master. . . . Do not detain me, now that the LORD has granted success to my journey. Send me on my way so I may go to my master.”

Genesis 24:54–56

This Scripture passage provides a good example for us. Isaac’s servant was eager to take his master’s future bride to her groom. We are reminded here that when it comes to doing God’s work, we shouldn’t keep stalling and procrastinating. We should clear away all the obstacles that keep us from completing what we are supposed to do.

Even non-Christian writers say that after adequately thinking over a matter, people should follow through with their intentions quickly and bring it to pass without delay. Sallust, the Roman statesman and historian, gave this advice: “After thinking it over, act quickly!” Bonaventure also made an excellent statement about this subject: “Those who pass up great opportunities will be passed over themselves.” But worse than all of this is when people postpone doing what God demands.

Procrastination results in serious harm. Those who don’t answer quickly when the Holy Spirit calls will miss their chance. The Holy Spirit seldom asks more than once. I’ve learned this from personal experience. Whenever it was necessary to pray, read, or take Holy Communion, the longer I put it off, the less I felt the need to do it. The Holy Spirit doesn’t give his gifts to those who procrastinate. He prefers those who willingly obey and gladly carry out God’s commands without delay. We see this eager attitude in Psalm 119:60: “I will hasten and not delay to obey your commands.” The Holy Spirit approved of this same eagerness in Rebekah when she quickly gave Eleazar a drink of water and ran to tell her family about Eleazar’s visit. Examples like these from the lives of God’s servants should inspire us to resist the foolishness of procrastination.