“Now yells louder, but later lasts longer.”

Stop what you are doing right now and go get Swipe Right by Levi Lusko. Get up out of your chair, put down the chips, and go to your nearest Barnes and Noble. Or better yet, stay in your chair, and order it on Amazon Prime. Trust me, you’ll get your 10 dollars worth. 

“Now yells louder, but later lasts longer.” Lusko brought the hammer with this phrase, and it is something that we can all relate to... 

It’s 2:00 in the morning, and you can hear the coffee ice cream in the freezer calling your name. It doesn’t even waste time to whisper, that ice cream is yelling for you. Sometimes the consequences don’t pass through your mind, the temptation is just too strong. You want that ice cream right NOW, no matter how bad your stomach is going to hurt later. Or you’re on a road trip and you packed snacks, but those granola bars taste like dog food compared to the gas station sour cream and onion pringles. Or maybe it’s just so much easier to order a big, fat pepperoni pizza than actually get out a pan and cook. [Substitute all your favorite foods here so that you’ll understand the mouth-watering metaphor I’m trying to make.] 

Whatever the case, we all have felt the temptation of junk food. A great taste in your mouth sounds really good NOW, but your tummy grumbling later wishes you never would have indulged in the food in the first place. Or maybe junk food doesn’t affect your stomach (lucky duck,) but one day it will catch up to you. You’re going to be doing cardio trying to work off all those powdered donuts, and just kicking yourself in the leg for not eating as many green beans as you should have. Okay, I know I am being a bit dramatic, but just trying to prove a point…“NOW yells really loud, but later lasts longer.”

Don’t think I am an advocate for never eating junk food. Heck, I love it the most out of anyone in my family. The point is, it is a temptation that not only affects you in the moment, but also later in life. Actually, I haven’t found any temptations that don’t. Alcohol, drugs, porn. They all sound and feel great in the moment, but when the high is gone, you are left feeling lower than ever. You can’t just be addicted to something for a little while, then decide one day you're going to quit without struggling.

What we do NOW affects us in the long run. It affects our marriage, our kids, our job, and our hearts. 

In chapel a couple of weeks ago, Klotzy (the most awesome guy ever,) asked the student athletes a serious question: “What do you want?” 

Right now, in five years, in 10, by the end of your life…what do you want?

Whatever you are looking for, whatever you want to get out of life, starts now. If you want to have a healthy marriage, then you have to be disciplined on what you're filling your mind with and who you are spending your time with now. If you want a steady job to provide for your family, you have to learn how to work hard and acquire the characteristics of someone who will succeed now. If you want someday to have a strong relationship with the Lord, then you should start right NOW. 

My fear for our generation is that we think we can have it all. We think we can enjoy the pleasure of temptation now, and revel in our successful jobs, marriages, and relationships later. But, news flash... that is not how it works. You can’t just wake up one day and say, “now, I’m going to get my life together.” That’s like saying you never went to class, or did the homework, or studied the material, but you think you're going to show up for the final exam and pass. We all know that doesn't work.

BUT GUESS WHAT? No matter what you have chosen in the past, you can decide to start trying TODAY. It’s going to take time to overcome the bad decisions, but no better time than right NOW. 

Here is my encouragement: ask yourself, “what do I want?” Today, soon, and in the future… and everyday work towards that. What can you do now that will help you later?

I am not only talking about your future life goals, I want you to ask yourself, "how do I want to feel when I'm married and having to wake up at 2:00 A.M., not to go eat ice cream, but to stop my baby from crying?" Do you want to feel miserable, exhausted, and depressed from how hard life has become? Or do you want to have that unexplainable joy of the Lord that gets you up everyone morning with a smile on your face no matter your circumstances?

The choice is yours, and the time is NOW. 

If you're needing a friend to talk to, please reach out. We are all facing battles, and if I can be of any help, then I want to!

With all my love, Delaney Dilfer :)