The Lie Called Later

One of the most dangerous words is “later.” I’ll get serious about God later, once things settle down. Once the business is built, once the kids are older, once I’ve had my fun. Later always sounds reasonable.

Scripture doesn’t share our confidence about later. “Boast not thyself of to morrow; for thou knowest not what a day may bring forth.” James is even more direct: “For what is your life? It is even a vapour, that appeareth for a little time, and then vanisheth away.”

That isn’t meant to scare us. It is meant to wake us up. Paul says, “behold, now is the accepted time; behold, now is the day of salvation.” The door God holds open is open today.

Whatever you have been putting off with God, whether it is coming to him for the first time, coming back or obeying him in one thing, don’t wait for later. Now is a gift.