Now is the Time

Today ended up being a good Monday. Much of that is because I made a last minute adjustment in my schedule. I believe a couple of issues are emerging out of my health crisis. I am becoming more realistic in my schedule and I am realizing that even when I have a prolonged time of more intense mental work, that it can be as fatiguing as physical activity.

I had a couple of enjoyable meetings, got some work accomplished outside and was productive with some of my office work. Now, just one more evening meeting.

BIBLE VERSE FOR TODAY… I tell you that the “right time” is now, and the “day of salvation” is now.”                             2  Corinthians 6:2 NCV

There are many aspects of life where the “right time” makes a difference. I tell people who are considering running for a political office that often, “timing is everything.” While there is no good time to face a health crisis, I was glad that mine happened when I was older and I didn’t have children at home and the variety of responsibilities that were a part of my life at one time.

The procrastinator’s motto is, “why do today what I can put off until tomorrow?” But we see that it is better to live by the motto, “don’t put off until tomorrow what you need to do today.”  Paul reminds the Corinthians about the words of the prophet Isaiah, “God said, “At the right time I heard your prayers. On the day of salvation I helped you.” (Isaiah 49:8) He goes on and says that the “right time” the “day of salvation” is now!

As the plague of frogs ravaged the land of Egypt, Pharaoh called in Moses to get rid of them. Moses asked an interesting question, “when?” Pharaoh responded, “tomorrow!” (Exodus 8:9,10) That account gave the impetus to a song that I remember from years ago entitled, “One More Night with the Frogs.”

Why do we delay? Why do we delay in seeking the Lord? Why do delay in reconciling a broken relationship? Why do we delay in pursuing a dream or goal? Why do we delay in turning to the Lord and asking for forgiveness?

There may be some good reasons for delay and why with some things in life, we wait for the “right time.” It took me about thirty years before I finally pursued my plans to earn a masters degree in nonprofit management. At times it is life situations, finances, motivation, fear or other factors that cause us to delay.

But when it comes to our spiritual life it is vital that we act promptly and quickly. We can’t “make ourselves better” or more acceptable to God. Delaying putting into practice spiritual disciplines (such as Bible reading and prayer or serving) doesn’t get easier with time. For some reason the “good” we need to do, we can view as difficult and challenging. That may come from ourselves or from the enemy of our souls and we need to recognize it for what it is. The writer of Hebrews reminds us,

“God again set a certain day, calling it “Today.” This he did when a long time later he spoke through David, as in the passage already quoted: “Today, if you hear his voice, do not harden your hearts.” (Hebrews 4:7 NIV)

What has the Lord been speaking to you about lately? What have you been delaying or procrastinating over? You may need to understand that the “time is now!” That always applies to our relationship with the Lord and issues that relate to our spiritual life. But perhaps there are other areas of  your life, that you need to step out and trust the Lord and “just do it!” I’m not talking about random actions, but those that you have been considering for some time. “If not now, when?” Perhaps the Lord is speaking to you and is saying, “now is the time.”