THE DANGER OF DELAY (Part 3) By Babatunde Olugboji
This week, we conclude our series examining the biblical principles surrounding what we have called “The Sin of Someday” – more commonly known as procrastination.
Procrastination is the intentional delay of something that ought to be done. For some, it is an occasional weakness; for others, it gradually becomes a way of life. We find ourselves saying, “I’ll take care of it tomorrow. I’ll deal with it later. I’ll start when the time is right.” Although the word procrastination does not appear explicitly in Scripture, the Bible repeatedly warns us about the danger of unnecessary delay.
Many good intentions have died in the land of “someday.” Someday I will pray more. Someday I will study the Bible seriously. Someday I will forgive. Someday I will serve. Someday I will start that ministry.
Someday I will start that business. Someday I will repair that relationship. Someday I will share the gospel. Someday I will surrender completely to God.
But “someday” is not a day on the calendar. Ecclesiastes 11:4 says: “He who observes the wind will not sow, and he who regards the clouds will not reap.” If you wait until every condition is perfect, you may never begin. There will always be another reason to postpone. You may never feel completely ready. You may never have unlimited time. You may never have perfect circumstances. At some point, faith must move beyond intention into action.
DO IT NOW
Procrastination is not merely a time-management problem. Sometimes it becomes a spiritual problem because God has spoken, yet we continue delaying our response. There are certainly times when wisdom tells us to wait. Scripture teaches patience, discernment, and sensitivity to God’s timing. Not every delay is disobedience.
But there is an important difference between waiting on God and delaying obedience to God.
Waiting on God says, “Lord, I am ready to move when You tell me to move.” Procrastination says, “Lord, I know You have told me to move, but I will do it later.” And perhaps the question each of us should ask is very simple: What have I been postponing that God has already told me to do?
Is there a relationship that needs reconciliation? Is there an apology that needs to be made? Is there a habit that needs to be confronted? Is there an assignment you need to begin? Is there someone you need to encourage? Is there a ministry in which you need to serve in your local church? Is there a spiritual discipline you need to recover? Is there an area of your life you need to surrender completely to God?
Do not allow tomorrow to become an excuse for today’s disobedience. Psalm 95:7–8 says: “Today, if you will hear His voice: ‘Do not harden your hearts… “The right time to obey God is not someday.
The right time is today. Why? Because opportunities pass. Hearts can harden. Relationships can deteriorate. Doors can close. Seasons change. And life itself is brief. James 4:14 reminds us: “For what is your life? It is even a vapor that appears for a little time and then vanishes away.”
We are not promised unlimited tomorrows. Therefore, when God makes His will clear, our response should not be endless postponement.
- If you need to forgive, do it today.
- If you need to apologize, do it today.
- If you need to begin serving, do it today.
- If you need to return to prayer, do it today.
- If you need to confront a destructive habit, begin today.
- If you need to make peace with someone, do it today.
- If you need to surrender an area of your life to Christ, do it today.
Certainly, pray about what God has placed before you. Seek wisdom. Prepare carefully. Get godly counsel when necessary. But once God has made the path clear and the time for obedience has come, move. Stop saying, “One day.” “When things settle down.” “When I have more time.” “When I feel ready.” “Tomorrow.”
There are moments when tomorrow is wisdom, but there are also moments when tomorrow is simply delayed obedience. So if God has spoken, the instruction is simple:
DON’T DELAY.
DON’T WAIT FOR SOMEDAY.
DO IT TODAY.
Have a good week.
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