Taking Action
He who covers his sins will not prosper, but whoever confesses and forsakes them will have mercy.
(Proverbs 28:13, NKJV)
Most grown-ups will be heard saying that they do not like going to hospitals. Children are also known to throw tantrums when they get to hospital for fear of injection needle induced pain. I was in pain recently and for a quite a while, I self-medicated. As the days passed, I realized that I wasn’t getting better but was still reluctant to see a doctor. It took the love of dear ones to insist that I see a doctor, they cared enough not to let me continue in self-deception that with time I would be okay. All along, I knew the right thing to do is to see a doctor, but I just wasn’t taking the necessary steps. By not seeing the doctor on time, I endured unnecessary pain and inconvenience, all because I did not feel like seeking medical advice. This is not the only time I procrastinated on what I needed to do and I know I am not alone in pushing things down and away even when we know we need to face them. Knowing something is not right and taking no action does not change the situation, often it only makes matters worse. The issue does not move until it is confronted.
Our reference verse above calls us to take action on matters that we have failed in. Not taking action is said to be covering the issue and this prevents us from moving forward. It is in confessing what we know is not right that gives us the opportunity to face the next step. Wisdom will require that we take action right away and not keep holding back. The bible reminds us that knowing the right thing to do yet failing to do is sinful (James 4:13). This is a strong admonition, that God considers our failure to do the right thing that we know to do, as sin. There is an urgency to do what is right as soon as we know it. David says that he made haste to do the commandments of God (Psalm 119:60). We cannot delay but need to move fast. In proverbs, we are reminded not to put off until tomorrow what we can do today to help a neighbour (Proverbs 3:28).
Beloved, the call for immediate action is clear, and procrastination in doing the right thing including in confessing our sins to God and to others is to be avoided.. We cannot keep pushing it for a convenient time, the call is for ‘now’. James reminds us to be doers of the word and not just hearers (James 1:22). It is okay to hear the word but if we fail to do it, we are deceiving ourselves. It is in the action we take in line with the word which pleases God. The apostle Paul when writing to Timothy paints a picture of those who know and hear God but fail to follow through in action, individuals who have a form of godliness but deny God’s power (2 Timothy 3:5). Beloved, when we profess to know God and His ways, it is required of us that our actions align with God’s words and will. This has to be immediate response to what we have known is right to do, even when it may seem inconvenient. God does not take delays and procrastination lightly, He actually sees them as sin, which we need to confess and repent. I do not know how this hits you but I pray it will call us to a quickening obedience on what requires doing in our relationship with God. May we not be found to be slack in obeying His word.
Thoughts:
What are you postponing to do?
What causes your dilly dallying?
How has procrastination impacted your walk of faith?