Friday, May 18, 2012

Live Today Like It Was Tomorrow

Let us fix our eyes on Jesus, the author and perfecter of our faith, who for the joy set before him endured the cross, scorning its shame and sat down at the right hand of the throne of God. -- Hebrews 12:2

What captured your attention today? Was it some gossip at work? How about the latest sports scores? Did your child have a recital? Or maybe you splurged and went shopping?

What part did Jesus play in your day? Was He an active participant in your day? Or did you even consider Him as you focused on more immediate things?

Because we tend to think that we’ve got time to spend with Jesus. We can read that extra Bible passage tomorrow. We can go visit that elderly relative over the weekend. We can donate to the food pantry next month. We can show kindness to a stranger when we have a little more time.

What happens when all those tomorrows are suddenly gone? You have today. This moment. That’s it. Maybe you’ll have the next moment. Maybe not. Because life doesn’t come with guarantees.

You know that of course. We all do. But knowing it in our heads and understanding it with our hearts is two very different things. We are fortunate if we never learn that firsthand. For most of us, that lesson came way too early.

I am forever amazed at the reckless way we sometimes treat our lives. The other day a young man sped by me on a two-lane road. And I do mean sped, as in a high rate of speed. I said a silent prayer that I wouldn’t come upon his car wrapped around a tree. I did pass him 20 or so miles down the road. A state trooper had stopped him. I wonder if he learned anything about showing more care for his life. Somehow I doubt it.

I think death really is the only thing that awakens our minds, our understanding, that today matters. A co-worker hurrying home to have lunch with his wife slams into a truck pulling out from a side road. The end. No second chances. No goodbyes. Just a life cut short by a tragic mistake.

Or a blood clot weeks after successful heart surgery. No warning. Just simple conversation followed by … nothing. Death can be as quiet as it is sudden.

So our challenge is to do today what we mean to do “someday.” Our goal is to live our lives focused on Jesus, doing what is important and taking time to live intentionally. Easy? Not at all. But necessary once we come to understand our purpose and our reality.

So pass on the gossip and spread a little kindness. Cheer on your kids and visit your relatives while you still can. Toss a football around with a friend. Collect food for the local food pantry. And give a stranger a kind word just because you can. Live today as you always intended to live tomorrow.