Don’t Put Off Your Fresh Start
By Rick Warren
“Jesus said, ‘No procrastination. No backward looks. You can’t put God's kingdom off till tomorrow. Seize the day.’” Luke 9:62 (MSG)
In Mark 10, a huge crowd was following Jesus as he left Jericho. A man named Bartimaeus was blind and begging by the roadside. When Bartimaeus heard that Jesus was nearby, he began to shout, “Jesus, Son of David, have mercy on me!” (Mark 10:47 NIV).
When Bartimaeus had gotten up that morning, he had no idea that Jesus Christ was going to pass by him that day. He thought it was just another ordinary day: same place, same cry for help, same situation.
But suddenly Jesus was there. Bartimaeus had no time to prepare or think through his response. It was just an opportunity that dropped in his lap. And he chose to seize the moment. He decided not to delay or procrastinate. He was going to do it—now.
That’s the first key to a fresh start in your life too: Whatever you’re going to do, do it now. Don’t say, “Next year I’m going to make a fresh start” or “Next month I’m going to make some changes” or “Tomorrow I’m going to make that a priority.” It’s now or never. Seize the moment!
Every day, we’re given opportunities for a fresh start, but we don’t take advantage of them. Why? We procrastinate.
Procrastination is a strange phenomenon. You think it will make your life easier when it actually does just the opposite. It’s a stress generator!
When you know the right thing to do, today is the time to do it. Don’t assume you can wait for tomorrow.
The Bible warns over and over about presuming upon tomorrow. I’m not guaranteed a tomorrow, and neither are you. Jesus said, “No procrastination. No backward looks. You can’t put God's kingdom off till tomorrow. Seize the day” (Luke 9:62 MSG).
You have no guarantee that you will live tomorrow. Whatever you’re going to do, you better do it now.
Is Jesus inviting you into a fresh start today? Don’t delay. Follow the example of Bartimaeus and seize the moment.
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This devotional © 2018 by Rick Warren. All rights reserved. Used by permission.
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