“Why Do You Wait?”

BIBLE READING: Acts 22

            Procrastination is defined as the putting off of activities that are planned or scheduled, for activities that are of lesser importance.  A study that was reported by Brandon Gaille found that in 1978, 5% of our nation’s population admitted to being chronic procrastinators.  In 2017, that number had quadrupled to 26%.  That same study found that 85-95 college students admitted to being chronic procrastinators.  I believe that we all struggle somewhat with procrastinating.  Whether it is making sure the maintenance is up to date on our automobile, starting a retirement plan or even getting back into shape; even those things that are extremely important for us to do, they seem to take a back seat to taking a nap, watching some Netflix or playing a game on our phone.  It has gotten to a point that our culture has even become more and more indifferent to putting off what we could do today, to some other time in the future.  The most condemning word in that mindset is the word “time”.  We have deceived ourselves into believing that we have plenty of time and that is the one thing we don’t know if we have or not.  The most dangerous area that so many of us procrastinate is in the area of making sure our soul is in a saved state with Jesus.  If you are reading this devotional, it stands to reason that you probably believe that Jesus will return and judge us based on the things that we have done while in this world (2 Corinthians 5.10).  How many of us continue to put off making those visits to the shut-ins, reading our Bibles, talking to our neighbors, coming to Wednesday night Bible study, sending those cards, taking more of an active role in worship; all the while believing we will get to it sometime in the future.  However, when we take an honest look at things, we find that the future is not promised.  As Paul is making his defense to the Council in Jerusalem, he is retelling the account of his conversion.  Paul recounts that after he had heard the voice of Jesus and seen the light, he was blinded for three days and had to be led by hand to Damascus.  God had instructed him to find Ananias, who was going to tell Paul what he must do.  When he arrives and receives his sight, Ananias said “…why do you wait? Rise and be baptized and wash away your sins, calling on His name.” (Acts 22.16).  Here is a man that has been told he is a “chosen vessel” of God to do great things.  Here is also a man who has spent the last three days praying non-stop for forgiveness of his sins and asking for another chance.  Finally, here is a man that is told by Ananias “why do you wait?”.  If the Apostle Paul is encouraged by Ananias to hurry up and get busy, maybe we should heed the same advice.  We are only given an allotted time on this earth so let’s make sure we don’t spend it procrastinating what is important for something that is trivial.  Let’s get busy and do what we have been intending to do…go ahead, “why do you wait?”