Commentary: Do it now

Ralph Fudge

When we procrastinate, we often never get around to doing things.”

Over the years, I have come up with a personal slogan: Do it now. It is a good philosophy and practice, for when we procrastinate, we often never get around to doing things. In fact, I told my son when he was a boy who often procrastinated, “Procrastination will rob you of all your hopes and dreams.” I still believe this to be true. Procrastination is one of the very worst of habits, and so many people have it.

But when we obey the practice of doing things now, we achieve so very much more than we would otherwise. I try hard to remain true to my slogan, but I have to confess that I have and still do sometimes procrastinate. However, I must insist that procrastination is one of the most destructive of habits. So often when we put things off until tomorrow, we never get them done. The old saying, “Tomorrow never comes,” is so very true.

There is always another tomorrow for planning on doing things we really do not want to do. Psychiatrist M. Scott Peck (The Road Less Traveled) suggested that one of the tools for mental and spiritual growth is delaying gratification. He said, “Delaying gratification is a process of scheduling the pain and pleasure of life in such a way as to enhance the pleasure by meeting and experiencing the pain first and getting it over with.” Doing things now is often painful, especially if we are accustomed to procrastinating. But we soon discover that getting things out of the way really does contribute to our happiness. Doing something now is directly delaying gratification, and it pays handsome dividends.

Dr. Peck also said that, “The tendency to avoid problems and the emotional suffering inherent in them is the primary basis of all human mental illness. Since most of us have this tendency to a greater or lesser degree, most of us are mentally ill to a greater or lesser degree, lacking complete mental health.” That may explain why we all sometimes feel we must be crazy.

Another point I try to make is that we do not have to finish a particular task in one time period. I have often emphasized to students that a little today and the same amount every day really does add up to potentially great achievement. Some tasks are simply too much to achieve quickly, but doing a little each day, even fifteen minutes, adds up quickly. Great things can be achieved this way. An old saying that applies is “Rome wasn’t built in a day.”

Getting things done on earth is somewhat important. However, there is one task that is infinitely more important. And that is taking care of the destiny of our immortal souls. And there is only one way to do that, and it consists of repenting and trusting Christ as our Savior. Jesus said in John 14:6, “I am the way, the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through Me.”

This one task is of eternal significance. In fact, it is the single most important thing that one can ever do on earth. Procrastinating trusting Christ is risking eternal punishment in hell. And the scary part is that we only have our time on earth to make the decision to trust Christ. Once anyone breathes his last, his opportunity is gone forever. So are all chances for his poor soul. And let us remember that the time of our demise we can never know. And, “You don’t have to be old to die.”

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Ralph Fudge is the pastor of Big Ochlocknee Baptist Church in Coolidge, Ga., and has a Master’s degree in theology from Midwestern Baptist Theological Seminary.