As I was wrapping up our Thanksgiving series, I was struck by the verb tense that Paul used in all of the verses I was studying.
When the Apostle Paul writes that we are to be overflowing with thankfulness, and let the peace of Christ rule in our hearts, and stay on our guard against slipping away from this, the verb tense is present tense. Simply put, he says, “Do it now.”
Not: Wait for better conditions … get things in order next Sunday at church … schedule a spiritual retreat.
The verbs are also in the active voice, which means I have to do it.
Not: Wait for a friend encourage me … hope my pastor can pump me up spiritually next Sunday … tune in to some sort of motivational speaker.
There is no better time than NOW, and there’s no better person than ME to do it.
“It is by little procrastinations that men ruin their souls. They have no intention to delay for years—a few months will bring the more convenient season—tomorrow if you will, they will attend to serious things; but the present hour is so occupied and altogether so unsuitable, that they beg to be excused. Like sands from an hour-glass, time passes, life is wasted by driblets, and seasons of grace lost by little slumbers.” —Charles Spurgeon
So what are you waiting for?!
Craig T. Owens 