Spiritual Reality Check for Teensنموونە

LATER vs. TOO LATE

Pop quiz…

Have you already: A) studied for that big test? B) wrapped up your chores for the week? C) sent grandma a “thank you” card for all that birthday money? or D) none of the above?

If you answered D, congratulations, you’re a procrastinator! Like most teens, you chronically put things off until the last minute. Right now it’s just things that seem inconsequential to you, like your studies, chores, etc. But procrastination can be a serious habit to take for granted – particularly where your faith is concerned.

The dangerous assumption many teens make about procrastination, especially spiritual procrastination, is that there will always be time later or another opportunity, a second chance to make things right, etc. But what if there isn’t? (Proverbs 27:1) What if today is all you have left? What if this very hour you will stand before the Lord in judgment? (Luke 12:40)

What do you think He’ll have to say about the faith commitment you always intended to make but never did?

How will you explain all the times you avoided praying because you just had “too much stuff going on”?

Could you rationalize all the activities you ranked ahead of going to church or even studying His Word?

And how can you justify all the opportunities you wasted to build a relationship with His Son because you couldn’t make room for Him on your social calendar?

Okay, relax. Odds are you aren’t dying today. And God is patient. (2 Peter 3:9) Nevertheless, making a full faith commitment is not something you want to keep putting off. A relationship with Jesus – your very Salvation – isn’t the sort of thing you can conveniently reschedule. (Romans 13:11-12)

| SPIRITUAL REALITY CHECK | If this devotional has convicted you, I’m glad. Now, actually do something about it! Too often, teens are convicted in the heat of the moment, but then forget the urgency of that conviction once the moment has passed. Don’t forget this moment! Hang on to it, and act on it! To do otherwise is, as Jesus’ brother James put it, like seeing yourself in a mirror only to forget what you look like the moment you walk away. (James 1:23-24)