The Folly of Procrastination

ROBERT SCHEER

Paul's admonition to his young friend Timothy, "Be instant in season, out of season,"^{II Tim. 4:2;} has direct application to the college student. It holds before him the counterfact for procrastination, a thief of time. Putting off until tomorrow what should be done today robs one of initiative and fulfillment. A Spanish proverb strikes the keynote to this lethargic state of thought: "By the street of 'By and By' one arrives at the house of Never."

Procrastination, as Christian Scientists see it, is neither of God nor of the real man. It is a false belief that must be countered and destroyed. God is the only directing power. This fact can help every student whose career has been hampered by procrastination.

By its very nature divine Mind is forever supplying man with ideas. One's work in Christian Science is to become receptive to these ideas and be prepared to use them daily. Christ Jesus emphasized in his parable of the ten virgins that, unlike the foolish virgins who put off filling their lamps, the wise had both their lamps and the necessary oil supply (see Matt. 25). Here, oil can be symbolic of prayer and fidelity. Our goal as Christian Scientists is to have our lives emulate the five wise and prepared virgins.

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