Sometime. How often does this word appear in your thoughts and vocabulary over the course of a 24-hour day? Sometime? The dictionary defines “sometime” as a time in the future or the past that is not known or not stated. I came across this gem: “Sometime is not a day of the week.”

I fall into the category of people who try adding “sometime” to the calendar. In doing so I need to be careful that “sometime” isn’t an excuse that is a cover-up for procrastination. Here are some examples. If I am confronted on not taking the garbage out, I can respond with, “I will get around to it sometime today. I am working on this project.” What happens is “sometime” doesn’t happen. The garbage gets lost in the maze of other things. The result? A mess.

I know I have to start exercising, so I’ll start tomorrow or “sometime” soon. “Sometime” doesn’t come and six months later, I’m even more out of shape. I can tend to eat more than I need and I am convicted that I need to change my diet and eating habits, “sometime.” “Sometime” can mean when I get around to it, or forces or circumstances more powerful than I, force me to do it. “Sometime” can mean when I am guilted, brow beaten, or nagged into submission and compliance. Excuses and alibis can justify my actions, but ultimately “sometime” is an excuse, a cover-up to the sin of sloth.

A “sometime” mentality can create stresses and messes in one’s relationships, with far reaching consequences. Maybe as a parent, I know deep down I need to give some quality time to the kids and my spouse, so I agree to work on it “sometime.” The result I hear all the time from parents and spouses about those “sometime” moments: regret. The damage is done. “If I could do it over, I would have….” The sad reality is our beds are made and the consequences loom in our faces. One can’t go back, delete, and type over. “Sometimes” ruin relationships and peoples’ lives. I buried a gentleman this summer who was an alcoholic and had a long trail of broken relationships and hurt people. He died in a stupor and the “sometime” to heal those relationship went to the grave with him; family and friends he hurt, cheated, because they never heard: “I am sorry. Please forgive me.”

Scripture is very clear. “If TODAY you hear his voice, harden not your hearts.” One does not encounter God “sometime”. One encounters God NOW, this very moment, today. I don’t encounter Him in the past, although I can point to times I did have an encounter. I don’t wait to encounter Him in the future that might never come. I encounter Him in the present circumstances of the moment. The God who created, sustains, and loves me beyond my wildest imaginations, is here, now, today, present to me. “Sometime” in this light is never the right time. Often, it’s too late. Think about it now, not “sometime”. Respond today, now, not “sometime”.

For Reflection:

Do I use “sometime” as a day of the week, an excuse to put something off? How does “sometime” affect my relationships with family, others, God? Do I put off until tomorrow what I could do today? How might “sometime” be a cover-up for the sin of procrastination, omission, laziness?

Prayer:
Lord, help me to hear Your voice today and embrace it with my life now.

(blogged January 15, 2025)
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