Do it later (may mean) Procrastination (could lead to) No tomorrows

One short news item barely hints at financial disaster to a rancher:  “George West lost 400 head of sheep in one night last week.” That piece of information comes from a newspaper printed on January 18—125 years ago—but it would be a “killer” piece of information even today.

Perhaps the rancher mentioned saved a portion of his flock, but 400 dead animals had to be a severe loss. Judging by the other snippets included from that January 18, 1890 newspaper, the mail carriers as well as cargo contractors all had a great deal of difficulty throughout northern Nevada fulfilling their duties during that part of January. No mention of snow depth was given but it must have been too deep to travel easily and had to have been terrible for livestock and their owners. It was obviously deadly for those 400 sheep.

I don’t know how that rancher who lost so many sheep felt about his first tomorrow after he counted his loss—probably not to cheerfully. No doubt there are song lyrics somewhere dealing with “no tomorrows.” The idea can definitely be depressing—or it can be a motivating factor. It is certainly a Biblical truth that we are not promised any tomorrows. And there is more than one reference to doing something “today.”  

Jesus told a parable recorded in Luke 12:16-21 about a rich man who had amassed such riches he decided he’d build bigger storehouses (barns) to hold all his blessings. Seeing those words in black and white reminds me that blessings (riches) are not given to us just for storing and hoarding, but apparently that was the focal point of this man’s thinking.

At any rate, God came to the wealthy man that very night and told him his soul would be required of him. In other words, he was not going to see tomorrow. He was not going to be able to build those bigger barns. Even if he had planned to give away some of his wealth to the needy, it was too late. No tomorrow. God doesn’t promise me a “later.” So I’d best be acting on what He tells me to do/act/think today.

I need to remember those sheep.