TODAY. We only have today. Therefore, we must not miss out on today’s opportunities. We cannot go back and change yesterday. Tomorrow is not in our grasp. But today we can choose to respond to each moment of life as it unfolds before us. We can’t control or even predict what challenges, surprises, pains, or joys will emerge during this day, however, in each of life’s twists and turns we can make the most of every situation.
Maybe your day will be filled with the ordinary, the routine, and the same old stuff as usual, but your response can be as different as you want it to be. Instead of boredom you can choose to learn something new. Instead of anger you can choose peace. Instead of complaining you can choose to encourage others. Maybe your day has difficulties in store. You can let those difficulties set your mind on sourness and cynicism, or you can determine to find joy and meaning in the middle of the storms.
My best days are nearly always characterized by a common thread. They are the days that my focus moves off of myself and my problems. They are the days that I choose to invest in the joy and satisfaction of others. They are the days when I take my troubles to the Lord and rest in His sovereignty and care. My worst days are when I allow the troubles within and the troubles without to grab my attention so that I cannot see the relationships all around me that are the real source of help and hope that I need.
So let’s get a grip. Let’s hold tightly to our faith, our family, and our fellow travelers in life. If we choose wisely, our days can be filled with meaning, joy, and new discoveries. Brighten someone’s day with a smile, learn a new song, pray for a deeper faith, or serve someone else’s need. Soon you’ll discover that even the worst problems and pains can be lifted, at least temporarily, by investing in others.
When it looks like life is falling apart remember the words of King David in Psalm 27, “The Lord is my light and my salvation; whom shall I fear? The Lord is the stronghold of my life; of whom shall I be afraid?”
In His Grip,
Chaplain Brian