It happened to me the other day. I was going to an appointment, and I got into some bad traffic. It slowed me down. I was a few minutes late for my appointment. It happens. There is nothing much we can do about it. Circumstances beyond our control make us late to meetings, appointments—even Sunday services.

But I think there a difference between being late on occasion and being late all the time. We may not always realize how being late is affecting others. That's where it's not just a bad habit but exhibits a bit of our selfish sinful nature. Please allow me to explain.

First of all, God's Word tells us that when we become Christians, the one for whom we are living changes. Paul declares, "He died for all, that those who live should no longer live for themselves but for him who died for them and was raised again" (2 Corinthians 5:15). He also instructs us, "Each of you should look not only to your own interests, but also to the interests of others" (Philippians 2:4).

Let's say a person is always 10 to 15 minutes late for meetings. Is that looking to the interests of others? Doesn't the leader have to delay the start of the meeting? Or if he begins on time, isn't he interrupted when the tardy person comes in? Doesn't he often have to repeat for the benefit of the tardy person?

Or what about a person who is always coming late to a worship service? When a person comes in late, is he or she prepared in heart and mind to worship the Lord? What is she or he saying about the relative importance of the Lord compared to sleep or the things that just "had to get done" before that person left the house? Could better planning have avoided the tardiness? Does the late entrance disturb the worship of others?

In some extreme cases, tardiness is actually like any addiction. It is very difficult for a person who is chronically tardy to break the pattern. Unfortunately it can lead others to begin to be tardy too. It almost becomes an epidemic.

Some say, "Just start on time, and that will solve it." I don't think it is that simple. I do think it can be solved, however. First it has to be recognized for what it is. Being chronically late is not loving one another as Jesus has loved us. I know that there are some cultures where being late is no big deal. But today in America, we have the expectation that we are on time. Being chronically late is not showing consideration of others' time.