Count Your TodaysSample

UP UNTIL TODAY

The most difficult part of accepting that today may be your last day is probably to be content with all that you have done so far during your time on earth.

I’m not sure that we will ever feel like we have no regrets or unresolved matters in our lives, but King Hezekiah certainly had good reason to be content. I even lose concentration when I try to read about all his achievements in 2 Chronicles 31. “In all that he did in the service of the Temple of God and in his efforts to follow God’s laws and commands, Hezekiah sought his God wholeheartedly. As a result, he was very successful” (v. 21, NLT).

One can hardly ask for a better testimonial than that! But it still didn’t prevent Hezekiah from wanting another “today”. That is the way humans were made - with an overpowering urge to survive. We are wired to fight for survival at any cost. Even Jesus had a hard time accepting that his time on earth in a human body was over. “He went on a little farther and fell to the ground. He prayed that, if it were possible, the awful hour awaiting him might pass him by” (Mark 14:35, NLT).

I suspect that the more dreams and plans we pursue, the more difficult it is to value each day as an unguaranteed gift. Having some unfinished tasks left to do on our last day tells the story of a life lived diligently and in obedience to the Lord. After all, God would not keep us here longer than what is necessary for his purposes. “So be careful how you live. Don’t live like fools, but like those who are wise. Make the most of every opportunity in these evil days. Don’t act thoughtlessly, but understand what the Lord wants you to do” (Ephesians 5:15-17, NLT).

Do you feel content with what you have accomplished and experienced in your life up until today? What regrets would you have if today turned out to be your last day?

Let us consider our plans and dreams for each new day that we receive from the Lord’s hand. And let us make the most of our time to make sure that we do and experience everything He wants for us in this life. “Young people, it’s wonderful to be young! Enjoy every minute of it. Do everything you want to do; take it all in. But remember that you must give an account to God for everything you do.” (Ecclesiastes 11:9, NLT).