“Don’t Kick The Can Down The Road”

Let’s be careful not to fool ourselves. Sometimes I can read something from the scriptures or from a holy writer and I can think I’ve actually incorporated the message into my life….”oh yes, I see that, I understand…great…”. Well it may be a good start, but it’s only a start… I need to follow up with it. 

Benjamin Franklin once said, “Don’t put off until tomorrow what you can do today ”….in other words, a good intention is meaningless unless it is followed by a good action. Most of us are familiar with the phrase, “the road to hell is paved with good intentions ; ie. individuals may have the intention to undertake good actions but nevertheless fail to take action. This inaction may be due to procrastination, laziness, etc. ….. but the net-net is that a good intention is meaningless unless followed through.

The scriptures reminds of this truth in many places:

• “Boast not thyself of tomorrow… now is the day of salvation” (Proverbs 27:1) In other words, tomorrow may be too late …..
• Be doers of the word, and not hearers only, deceiving yourselves. (James 1:22)
• Not every one who says to me, ‘Lord, Lord,’ shall enter the kingdom of heaven, but he who does the will of my Father who is in heaven. (Mt. 7:21)
• “Every one then who hears these words of mine and does them will be like a wise man who built his house upon the rock…. and every one who hears these words of mine and does not do them will be like a foolish man who built his house upon the sand…. (Mt. 7:24-27)

Thank God he is patient with us!  Where would we be without his patience?  (“The Lord is merciful and gracious, slow to anger, and abounding in steadfast love and faithfulness.” (Exodus 34:6) …..THANK GOD FOR HIS PATIENCE WITH US !!!

BUT, we are also reminded not to “presume upon the riches of his kindness and forbearance and patience…. do you not know that God’s kindness is meant to lead you to repentance?” (Romans 2:4) We need to respond to God’s mercy and patience with repentance and change. May I not presume on his mercy and patience and kindness. Lord, help me to respond to your great love toward me. 

So, Advent is a good time to take full advantage of God’s patience and mercy and give ourselves fully to him…to ask for forgiveness ..to make needed changes in our life. He will help us. He loves us. His desire for us is life on high in heaven one day. Let us not kick the can down the road or put it off until tomorrow…today is the day of salvation….and that is very good news.