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One Big Change


          I am always skeptical of “quick fixes” or “one answer fits all” solutions.  However, I think I have found one thing that could change your life, your relationships and maybe even your eternity. 

            We see this “one thing” in Acts 24.  In this chapter, Paul is defending his teaching to a Roman governor named Felix.  Paul spoke about “Faith in Christ Jesus… righteousness, self-control and judgment to come” (verses 24 and 25) and, as he did, Felix became afraid and told Paul to stop.  Actually, he said, “That’s enough for now!  You may leave.  When I find it convenient, I will send for you” (verse 25).

           The word I want you focus on in that sentence is the word “convenient”.   We like that word because it sounds sort of nice, easy and fun.  It is always best to do things when you want to and when things suit you, right? 

            The problem with doing things when it is convenient is that it is never convenient!  We never get to a place in life when it is easy to do the thing you know ought to do.  There is always another excuse.  “I will do that when my kids or older” turns into, “When the kids are out of the house” which turns into, “When I am retired”.   Then, when people retire they say, “If I was twenty years younger…” and on and on it goes.

            Time and circumstances do make some things easier, but, for the most part, the only time that it is “convenient” to do anything is when you have decided to it.  If you wait for some magical time down the road, you will never do anything because most things are inconvenient.  If they weren’t, you would have done them already.

            In Felix’s case, as far as we know, he never found a “convenient” time to respond to the message Paul preached.  For the next two years, he listened but did not do anything.  Then he moved on to his next assignment and the opportunity was gone (verse 27). 

            So let me ask you this:  What good thing are you putting off doing because you are waiting for a more convenient time?  Chances are it will not get easier.  Likely, you are just going to have to act, because if you wait you may miss out.

           Regardless of the issue or the situation, if we could learn to stop procrastinating and do what we know we should do, it could change everything.

            Knowing what you need to do is the easy part. 

            But you probably knew that already.

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