Live This Day in His Honor

Carlos J. Craig

September 1, 2019

Perhaps it is more significant as I age, but I find the passage in Psalm 118:24 more meaningful today than ever before. “This is the day the Lord has made; We will rejoice and be glad in it,” NKJV.

Each and every day that we are gifted life by the God of heaven, we must think in terms of legacy, but, more importantly, in terms of a living testament. Our attitude, our demeanor, our countenance and our words are staples in a working document that declares a message either for or against the goodness and the grace of God. The enemy approaches us each day and whispers in our ear a sinister encouragement for us to seek our own satisfaction that day as opposed to living for Christ.

Many years ago, I came across a piece written by 14-year-old Jason Lehman published February 14, 1989, by Dear Abby in her column. It read as follows: 

Present Tense

It was spring, but it was summer I wanted,

The warm days, and the great outdoors.

It was summer, but it was fall I wanted,

The colorful leaves, and the cool, dry air.

It was fall, but it was winter I wanted,

The beautiful snow, and the joy of the holiday season.

It was winter, but it was spring I wanted,

The warmth and the blossoming of nature.

I was a child, but it was adulthood I wanted,

The freedom and respect.

I was 20, but it was 30 I wanted,

To be mature, and sophisticated.

I was middle-aged, but it was 20 I wanted,

The youth and the free spirit.

I was retired, but it was middle-age I wanted,

The presence of mind without limitations.

My life was over, and I never got what I wanted.

Christ counseled us so wisely in Matthew 6:34: “Therefore do not worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will worry about its own things. Sufficient for the day is its own trouble,” NKJV.

I am able to witness every day how tragically individuals are robbed of their ability to enjoy the abiding presence and the sustaining blessings of the Lord upon them that day. As that transpires, we, in turn, defraud the world around us of the light that the Savior so desires to beam through us to those in need around us. Thus, Satan is able to plunge us into a vicious cycle of drudgery and despair that retards the work of spreading the Good News of the gospel to a world that is drowning in negativity.

Truthfully, this is the day that the Lord has made. Each day He creates with a purpose, with a plan. We either become part of that plan or we mitigate against it! The other side of it is that as He presents His plan to us each day, we either rejoice in it or frown upon it. The world complains that there are far too many long-faced Christians. Translation, too many Christians are dissatisfied with God’s plan for their lives. We are too quick to Monday morning quarterback God’s Game Plan. We know better than He does, thus we frown.

Today, you have been given a grand opportunity to live, breathe and function on a highly positive level for the Master! Will you make the most of that by the power of the Holy Spirit?  Give it a try. Go on God’s errands today and then marvel at the way He directs your paths.