There are three participants in Ecclesiastes: the author (who never speaks), the "teacher", and us (the ones reading or listening). The teacher shares wisdom, such as: “When thou vowest a vow unto God, defer not to pay it…” (Eccl.
5:4).
Defer not. Don’t procrastinate. Pay it. Do it. What then is the remedy for procrastination? Early Christian Science worker Alfred Farlow puts it succinctly: If the Churches do not consider themselves ready, the remedy is not to defer the lecture, but to get ready for it (Christian Science Sentinel, March 9, 1899).
Wow! Get ready for it. Nehemiah seems to have done just that, despite the opposition. He put in the work required. He expressed his inherent God-qualities, like astuteness, leadership, meekness, quiet planning, wisdom, team-work, courage, timeliness, inspiration, vigilance, and humility. What blessings resulted!
Nehemiah's example reminds us of another verse from the Bible: “Thrust in thy sickle, and reap: for the time is come for thee to reap; for the harvest of the earth is ripe” (Rev. 14:15). We are assured by Mary Baker Eddy's words in the Christian Science textbook, Science and Health with Key to the Scriptures: “Whatever it is your duty to do, you can do without harm to yourself” (SH 385:17–18).
Eddy made just one reference to procrastination. She wrote: “Tireless Being, patient of man's procrastination, affords him fresh opportunities every hour…” (Christian Healing 19:18–19).
Thank you, wise ones.
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