Before a long trip, I start packing early. Before my recent vacation, I was gathering things and packing well in advance. Putting things off has never served me well. If I feel unprepared, it begins to affect me by causing strange dreams and sleeplessness.

That’s why I have to attack my sermon preparation early; I’m usually 90% done with my sermon by Tuesday evening. It allows me to sleep peacefully. I’m the same way before a trip. This idea isn’t hard to apply to our spiritual lives is it? Are we prepared to leave? Or are we telling ourselves we’ve got plenty of time and waiting until the last minute to pack? It is interesting how many of us PROCRASTINATE even when we KNOW the time of our departure. We often do the same in our spiritual journey. What are we waiting for?

Some have suggested there is a sin of procra procrastination—“putting off doing something.” It may not be very significant in little things. But in the spiritual realm, putting off important things can cause immense consequences.

In the Old Testament, the Lord often accused the Israelites of putting important things off, ignoring His interest for their own. They ignored the House of the Lord. They ignored the work of the Lord. They ignored the people of the Lord. Their procrastination brought many consequences down on them.