Take Now, Not Later

Oswald Chambers, "God’s command is, "Take now," not later. It is incredible how we debate! We know something is right, but we try to find excuses for not doing it immediately. If we are to climb to the height God reveals, it can never be done later— it must be done now. And the sacrifice must be worked through our will before we actually perform it...God chose the test for Abraham, and Abraham neither delayed nor protested, but steadily obeyed. If you are not living in touch with God, it is easy to blame Him or pass judgment on Him. You must go through the trial before you have any right to pronounce a verdict, because by going through the trial you learn to know God better. God is working in us to reach His highest goals until His purpose and our purpose become one."

If anyone knows the calling of God to change, it is me. How often was the decision placed right in front of me. How often did I turn Him down, only to find heartache in my choices, only because I did not, "Take it now." Every day we have choices placed in front of us. With most of those choices the clear, right answer, we know. It is when we choose to "take it later" that things go wrong. This is a journey that we must partake in on our own, no matter who is around us. This is the personal part. The part that is the most difficult, because during this part, He is calling us as His only child. This is when we run the risk of loosing friends and battling our sinful desires in order to suffer through the boredom. But it does not matter if we do it now when He says, or wait till later, ultimately we must do it. What we have to discover is when is it worth it to us. Do we really have to hit rock bottom before we are finally willing to listen? If so, why? Why do my little boys insist on getting a spanking? Why can't we just open our hearts to the truth, before the beating starts?

Colossians 3:17, "So put to death the sinful, earthly things lurking within you. Have nothing to do with sexual immorality, impurity, lust, and evil desires. Don’t be greedy, for a greedy person is an idolater, worshiping the things of this world. Because of these sins, the anger of God is coming. You used to do these things when your life was still part of this world. But now is the time to get rid of anger, rage, malicious behavior, slander, and dirty language. Don’t lie to each other, for you have stripped off your old sinful nature and all its wicked deeds. Put on your new nature, and be renewed as you learn to know your Creator and become like Him...Since God chose you to be the holy people He loves, you must clothe yourselves with tenderhearted mercy, kindness, humility, gentleness, and patience. Make allowance for each other’s faults, and forgive anyone who offends you. Remember, the Lord forgave you, so you must forgive others. Above all, clothe yourselves with love, which binds us all together in perfect harmony. And let the peace that comes from Christ rule in your hearts. For as members of one body you are called to live in peace. And always be thankful. Let the message about Christ, in all its richness, fill your lives. Teach and counsel each other with all the wisdom He gives."

We all have choices to make every day. The thing that we have to realize is that His ways are better, if we will suffer through the desires of our own selfish ways. We are selfish by nature, and this is why we hurt others so often. We want what we want and we want it now. But what we must realize is that God is calling us, right now, to change our desires. He is calling us to have a better life. For no matter what our circumstances are, with Him it is better. Do you hear Him calling you to a better existence? Change is hard, but if you can grab hold of it right now, it will make latter even better. "God’s command is, "Take now," not later. It is incredible how we debate! We know something is right, but we try to find excuses for not doing it immediately." Right now, do what you know you must do. Even if it hurts, right now.

http://www.rbc.org/devotionals/my-utmost-for-his-highest/11/11/devotion.aspx?year=2009