Several years ago a friend took me to a motivational seminar that I
thoroughly enjoyed. Instead of focusing on money and success, the leaders
guided us toward understanding our unique identity and purpose in life. Then
they passed along some helpful methods for effective living. One motto has
stayed with me: “Do it now!” The principle they taught us was that it takes as
much energy to avoid a task as it does to do it. Procrastination saps power;
completion gives relief.
A spiritual application can be seen in Hebrews 3, a passage filled with
an air of immediacy as it calls us to obey the Lord. “‘Today,’ if you will hear
His voice, do not harden your hearts as in the rebellion, . . . but exhort one
another daily, while it is called ‘Today,’ lest any of you be hardened through
the deceitfulness of sin” (vv.7-8,13). We don’t know how long it would have
taken the children of Israel to reach the Promised Land if they had obeyed God,
but their 40-year journey resulted from their unwilling hearts. An entire
generation missed the adventure of a lifetime (vv.8-11).
When we know how the Lord wants us to live, why don’t we just say “Yes!”
No debate, no delay. Do it now!