Some Things Can’t be Safely Delayed

The ability to patiently wait for things to fall into place in the fullness of time is highly appreciated.

Those who can withstand the unpleasantness of the here and now in preparation for the sweet by and by are considered men and women of stellar moral convictions.

You must have heard men and women of experience talk about the importance of delayed gratification. They especially emphasize this concept to youths and teens who are trying to crack the code of life.

For instance, many young people are enlisting themselves for a life of uselessness and dishonour. They demand to have their thirst quenched instantly when they feel it.

Toxic relationships, built on the shaky foundation of coital contact, are an example of impatience that goes unrebuked among the millennials. The hunger for a financial breakthrough drives many people to unlawful ventures, which is a recipe for premature death.

While the gone generation seemed to have understood that patience pays, ours seems to find patience too slow. Like the prodigal son, we want the old man dead by requesting our bequest while the father still lives.

People of all ages should appreciate the patience needed for things to fall into place. We all need the goodies of life. Nevertheless, it defies logic to believe that we will all get them at the same time. We also may not get them exactly when we think we really need them.

The world is not rich enough to concurrently put honey and milk on everyone’s table. While some are enjoying the honeycomb now, others may have to try some ginger and lemon as they wait for their turn to get a pint of the honey.

It is safe to accept this undeniable fact. But what is often the case? People raise arms and knock cold those with honey. They pretend they are enjoying the honeycomb gained at the expense of others. This forces on them the burden of cognitive dissonance.

All these notwithstanding, sometimes delay becomes terribly unsafe. There are a few exceptions to the concept of patience, and we need to know them. How do you patiently drop a hot metal held by mistake? Who does not jump from a nail sat on ignorantly?

These are those examples where patience is indeed too slow. I will highlight a few things that can’t be safely delayed.

We’ll cover:

1. Running Out of a House on Fire🔥
2. Breaking Lose From Addictions
3. Deciding to Take Life Seriously
4. Making a Decision About The Hero Missing in the Guinness World Records
5. Conclusion

Running Out of a House on Fire🔥

Have you been in a burning house?

It is not a pretty scene. It’s a place of perils untold.

No speed governor is needed to regulate the pace of a man running out of a house on fire.

Any more delay is like playing with death. Any unwarranted delays are suicidal.

A house on fire is like a falling plane or a sinking ship. A house, ship, or plane is only useful when we can remain safe while inside.

I liken them to situations, spaces, relationships, and many more. When you realize you’re in a space destined for doom, and there is nothing you can do to change the situation, you have to go out.

We could learn it from God. These two Bible verses speak volumes on this topic:

"And other sheep I have which are not of this fold; them also I must bring, and they will hear My voice; and there will be one flock and one shepherd" (John 10:16, NKJV).

God knows there are many rebellious folds. These folds are keen on leading His sheep astray. God works to take them out of such folds. Nothing more can be done to correct things in those apostate folds.

Again, God doesn’t insist on changing Babylon. Babylon has fallen and can’t be corrected. Instead of trying to change Babylon, God asks His people to come out of her. Let’s read it in Scripture:

"After these things I saw another angel coming down from heaven, having great authority, and the earth was illuminated with his glory. And he cried mightily with a loud voice, saying, “Babylon the great is fallen, is fallen, and has become a dwelling place of demons, a prison for every foul spirit, and a cage for every unclean and hated bird!  For all the nations have drunk of the wine of the wrath of her fornication, the kings of the earth have committed fornication with her, and the merchants of the earth have become rich through the abundance of her luxury.” And I heard another voice from heaven saying, “Come out of her, my people, lest you share in her sins, and lest you receive of her plagues" (Revelations 18:1-4, NKJV).

There comes a time when the right message is to come out and never go back.

The world is likened to a house on fire. Sinners are gathering in bundles, ready to be consumed by hellfire. Why are you so comfortable in a house on fire. Do you have an escape plan? Will God’s bosom be your pillow?

Breaking Lose From Addictions

If there are people who have never seen the joy of a clear conscience, they are those who are battling addictions.

Our generation has several bullies to deal with. They often come in forms meant to take hold of various individuals. Most common include Social Media platforms, pornographic materials in all its forms, and substance abuse.

Any further delay in the fight for freedom from these tyrants is no safe delay. Any addiction cherished becomes a little more difficult to stop by and by. Regarding addictive substances, it is extremely unsafe to delay the breakaway. The longer you wait, the weaker you become and the harder it is to quit.

“Moral principle is exceedingly weak when it conflicts with established habit”

Mind, Character, and Personality, vol. 1, p. 230.5 (Ellen Gould White)

Deciding to Take Life Seriously

Is seriousness with life a matter of concern? Well yes.

It is not austere to give life the seriousness it deserves. Seriousness is not synonymous with sadness. It has to do with doing what you’re supposed to do when you are supposed to do it. It has to do with responsibility and commitment to duty.

If people took life seriously, common problems would significantly decrease.

When it comes to your life and the things that make you better at being you, it is that serious. Don’t entertain people who keep repeating phrases like, “It’s not that serious” on things that are important to you.

Life has no spare. No sooner do we start to live than we start dying. Our time is precious. Our health is priceless. Our eternal security is worth securing at all costs. Let’s get serious with the things that matter.

Making a Decision About The Hero Missing in the Guinness World Records

I’m trying to consider anything more important than a decision about Jesus, and I literally can’t see.

This is to the entire humanity, irrespective of the profession of faith. Even if you are an atheist, agnostic, pagan, or any non-Christian religious group, you must decide about Christ.

Christ has stood tall in the heart of human history. Look at our times? We use BC/BCE (Before Circa/ Before Christian Era) and AD (Anno domini; in the year of our Lord). He will influence your life even if you have not intelligently made a decision to be a Christian.

The only options we have when Christ is mentioned are only two. We’ll either crown him King of Kings and Lord of Lords, or Crucify Him. We must not delay a decision about Jesus. We must do it urgently. It is so urgent that any delay makes it difficult to make the right decision. And if we try to be neutral, we are counted with those who have crucified Him.

“This work of individual purification of character cannot be safely delayed…. With confession and prayer, take your stand to be wholly the Lord’s henceforth and forever…. We cannot afford to delay this work of confession and humbling of soul, that our offerings may be acceptable unto God. Fullness of joy is to be found in an entire surrender to God”

—My Life Today P. 32

Conclusion

Life, at best is very brief; it withers sooner than we are ready to see it go. It will be safer to be in time in our decisions, choices, and convictions about life. A little delay, and a little fidgeting, will make it more difficult for you to decide right. Find out the safe paths to follow, and then follow them religiously.