Centre news religion with Apostle Ronwell Chipfumbu
Many unsuccessful lives are characterized by statements such as “I will do it later” or “I will do it tomorrow.” As a result, nothing is ever accomplished. John C. Maxwell once said, “The longer you take to do something you should do now, the greater the odds that you will never actually do it.” Procrastinators end up achieving nothing.
Procrastination—putting things off for a later time—has stalled countless visions, and many have ultimately died because of it.
In 1742, Edward Young coined the proverb: “Procrastination is the thief of time.” When we postpone responsibilities, time slips away, never to be recovered. Delaying is a waste of irreplaceable time; it hinders potential and brings regret. Lost time cannot be regained—better to rise up and act now.
Time never waits for anyone; it is always in motion. Once you know what you must do, act promptly.
Successful people do not wait for perfect conditions. Instead, they create a conducive environment by rising up anyway. Vision becomes clearer as you pursue it. The more you act on an idea, the clearer it becomes.
*Biblical Insights*
Ecclesiastes 11:4 (NLT):
“Farmers who wait for perfect weather never plant. If they watch every cloud, they never harvest.”
A bad farmer waits for rain before sowing. By the time the rains come, it is already too late. Farmers know that rain must come after seeds are sown. If you are waiting for the “right” opportunity, you may be waiting for something that will never come.
*Procrastination is also a sign of slothfulness and laziness—an excuse for inaction.*
Proverbs 24:30–34 (NLT):
_“I walked by the field of a lazy person, the vineyard of one with no common sense. I saw that it was overgrown with nettles. It was covered with weeds, and its walls were broken down. Then, as I looked and thought about it, I learned this lesson: A little extra sleep, a little more slumber, a little folding of the hands to rest—then poverty will pounce on you like a bandit; scarcity will attack you like an armed robber.”_
The lazy man had a field, but ownership did not make him a diligent farmer. You can be employed yet lazy, or have great ideas but never act on them. Such ideas are wasted if they remain only stories.
His field was overgrown with weeds, the walls broken down, and the harvest impossible. The reason? He kept postponing action, saying, “I will rise up later.” Later became never, and the field was lost.
The lesson is clear: poverty often results from procrastination.
*The Power of Swift Action*
To fight poverty and lack, we must fight procrastination. Acting swiftly brings advantage.
In Genesis 12:1–4, Abraham was blessed because he did not procrastinate when God told him to leave Haran. Verse 4 says, “So Abram departed as the Lord had instructed.” He obeyed immediately. Delayed obedience is disobedience.
Do not take too long to obey when God speaks. Do it now, not later. Do not delay correcting a child when you sense something wrong. Delay brings regret. Many opportunities have slipped away from procrastinators.
*Final Call*
You can do it—and you can do it now. Rise up and pursue your vision today, not tomorrow.
Do it now, not later!
