That opening line might seem silly to you, your response being, “What choice do I have?” You could try to relive yesterday’s glories or attempt to erase some ugly blot that stains the record. You lean forward, reaching for tomorrow’s resources or anticipated rewards. Both are sure ways to miss out on today!
Lewis Smedes made a useful analogy about living in the day. “My date book has become a parable … When I get out a new one, I see page after page of blank squares, each representing a day of my life. Each square bounded by four solid lines. My job is to fill up each of the squares with all the things that I do every day. When I get one square nicely filled, at the magic moment of midnight, an invisible door opens and I am silently slurped into the next square where I do it all over again. My life - filling up the squares.” He went on to explain that there is no door to yesterday. It is sealed! The door to tomorrow cannot be kicked open early no matter how frantically we try.
Jesus teaches us to live in the moment. His words are deeply challenging to those of us who are pressed to plan for every contingency, to devise strategies for success. His words are not a condemnation of prudent preparation, but they are a warning about attempting to live outside of the boundaries of this day. He taught us to pray "Give us today our daily bread." (Matthew 6:11, NIV) and then promises if you "Steep your life in God-reality, God-initiative, God-provisions … You’ll find all your everyday human concerns will be met." (Matthew 6:33, The Message) His conclusion is both a challenge and an invitation to peace: "Therefore do not worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will worry about itself. Each day has enough trouble of its own." (Matthew 6:34, NIV)
So, leave the sins of your past with Christ Jesus, accepting His forgiveness. Entrust your future to His providence, even as you accept His wisdom for today. Practice being fully present today. Don’t let conversations happen while you are already moving on to the next encounter. Engage, don’t drift! Pray prayers of gratitude and acceptance that allow you to make the most of today’s opportunities. Rich, poor, young, and old – there is one thing we all have in common – today.
Here is a word from the Word. May the wisdom of the Spirit make it a way of life for us. "Let us not become weary in doing good, for at the proper time we will reap a harvest if we do not give up. Therefore, as we have opportunity, let us do good to all people, especially to those who belong to the family of believers." (Galatians 6:9-10, NIV)
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Day by day and with each passing moment,
Strength I find to meet my trials here;
Trusting in my Father's wise bestowment,
I've no cause for worry or for fear.
He whose heart is kind beyond all measure,
Give unto each day what He deems best;
Lovingly, its part of pain and pleasure,
Mingling toil with peace and rest.
Ev'ry day the Lord Himself is near me
With a special mercy for each hour;
All my cares He fain would bear and cheer me,
He whose name is Counselor and Pow'r.
The protection of His child and treasure,
Is a charge that on Himself He laid;
"As your days, your strength shall be in measure,"
This the pledge to me He made.
Day By Day
Berg, Carolina Sandell / Ahnfelt, Oscar / Skoog, Andrew
© Public Domain
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