When asked to do something not exactly to our liking, we often respond with "wait...". Sometimes it is out of indecision, fear, wilful negligence but often it is plain wilful disobedience, ironically exclaimed with imprudent impatience! Indeed many of us are guilty of procrastination. Put simply, it is a common ailment which can be described as "not doing right at the right time".

Our brother Simon Teo, a recent convert, has been faithfully attending our Church and my cell group for
the last 8 months. Praise God he did not procrastinate when he obeyed the Lord immediately upon being
convicted.

Ever since Simon became a Christian, he has been conscious of the need to reconcile with his father with
whom he had not been close. However, the long estrangement had made it difficult to cross the
psychological threshold. Last Friday Simon shared with our group his 72 year old father's grievous condition, and that doctors have advised the family to expect the worst within the next 48 hours. We were prompted and prayed that the Lord will be merciful to grant him time to make a salvation decision.

Throughout our study on Matthew 18 that followed, Simon appeared relatively silent but he did learn the lessons quietly. The next day, he visited his father in hospital and was amazed that our prayer was answered so quickly. His father's condition had unexpectedly taken a turn for the better. Convicted by the Lord, Simon spoke with his father like he never did before. He told him he has become a Christian and asked for forgiveness as he sought reconciliation. His father was so moved he indicated that he too wants to believe and be baptised! Last Sunday a group of us visited Simon's father in hospital and witnessed the miracle; the reconciliation of father and son and even baptism on the hospital bed!

How about you? How do you deal with your procrastination? What is the right thing that you know you have to do? It may be similar or even something different, but will you act simply like Simon did to believe and act when you hear God's voice?

Today as you hear God's voice, do not harden your heart. Jesus' disciples obeyed immediately upon hearing his invitation "come follow me". This should apply not only to the invitation to salvation but also to servanthood, even to matters pertaining to our sainthood. They followed Him gladly, fully and only.

Together with the Elders, Joshua Quek