Proverbs 12:24
The hand of the diligent will rule, while the slothful will be put to forced labor.
Delayed Motivation
I was going to write a devotional about procrastination, but I kept putting it off. Do you see the irony in that? I was not being serious, but I wrote that to make a point. I think all of us struggle with procrastination. When I went to college years ago, I disciplined myself to do the most difficult assignments first and then work my way down to the easiest. Planning to do this was the easy part, but when it came time to do the most difficult thing first, I found it was much easier to plan it than to actually do it, but do it I did. I know that God is not pleased with a sluggard (Prov. 15:19), and my goal is to please God. So what was it that got me motivated? I tried to think about getting the hardest things out of the way first, and then it would get easier as I went. That’s what motivated me. What about you? What motivates you to act today?
The Highway of Good Intentions
The highway paved with good intentions is useless until you drive on it. The Parable of the Foolish Virgins is a good example of knowing that the Bridegroom of the house is coming back but not being prepared for His return. When the Bridegroom delayed His coming, the foolish virgins slacked off and weren’t prepared when the Bridegroom finally came (Matt. 25:8-10). When He finally did come, they missed out and were shut out of the marriage feast; it was too late. They had the opportunities to have their lamps full of oil but never took the time to make sure they were. They procrastinated, and their procrastination cost them the wedding. They should have been prepared knowing that their Lord could come at any moment (Luke 12:4). That’s why when I hear people put off their coming to Christ, I fear that they may wait too long. They say, “Well, I’m on the fence about it right now,” not knowing that the fence and those who are sitting on it will also be cast into hell at their death or at His return (Rev. 20:12-15) because no decision is still a decision to reject belief in Christ. To reject Christ is to have the wrath of God abiding on them (John 3:36b).
Consider the Ant
I love the Book of Proverbs because there’s so much wisdom in it. One proverb tells us to consider the ant, who labors during the season so there’ll be no want when food is scarce (Prov. 6:6). The ant didn’t know when that first freeze or first snowstorm would hit, so the entire colony worked diligently to be prepared in case winter came early. The ant never procrastinates, and thus the ant thrives year after year. If the ant were allowed to procrastinate, then the species might just disappear. The one who loves to sleep is the one who will be in want (Prov. 6:10-11). The Bible says that people who are lazy will make ridiculous excuses to not do something (Prov. 22:13) but the diligent make the most of every opportunity (Prov. 12:27). So never put off until tomorrow what you can do today, for tomorrow will come, and it’ll still be left undone. Do you, like I, struggle with procrastination? What do you think it’ll take to get you motivated?
A Closing Prayer
Father, my human nature is my own worst enemy. It is so easy to put off those things that are difficult, so help me to be more diligent, and that might be by my staying in Your Word on a daily basis. I thank You for Your wisdom found in Your Word, and in Jesus’ name I pray.
Amen
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