Do you live each day as if your life could go on forever… or like you could die at any moment?
A little light discussion for today, right? I know, I know….. you’re thinking:
“But Megan….. it’s MONDAY!!!!!!” Yes, it is… and what if it was your LAST?
If you’re anything like me, on any given day you are spread in any number of directions. You are top chef, home manager, taxi driver, appointment setter, taker and reminder. You take care of everyone in your life…. and pray you maybe have some time in your day to care about YOUR hopes, wants, dreams ands needs in there, too.
Mr. Chan brings to our attention in our reading today that “on the average day, we live caught up in ourselves.” Ouch. I hate to admit this as much as you do, but he’s right….. isn’t he? Today needs to be the day that you look at every day forward (including today) differently.
Just stop for a second and catalog what all had to happen in order for you to even be reading this blog….. What does that REALLY look like? It doesn’t just happen, you know? I’m not even going to get unto how you actually got to the place where you are reading this blog because I could write for days just on that idea alone……. but simply for your computer to be able to function in such a way as to bring these simple words and images on a screen for your eyes to feast on….. THAT is amazing. I realize that this blog is probably not a life-saving thing for you and you would certainly survive if, for some reason, technology wasn’t being your friend today and you were unable to read these fine words……
….but how AWESOME is it that it DOES work? Each little megabyte and gigabyte…. they all work together for the glory of God to give you some food for thought as you prepare your day. That is pretty neat… and it is certainly bigger than you or me.
We always act like we have more time… That we will just do “it” tomorrow or that “it” can wait. What if there is no tomorrow? Y0u certainly would have missed this message if you didn’t read it today and I can’t help but then think that maybe lives would miss out on your perspective about it as a comment that you didn’t post as a comment for the world to see all because you missed the message.
AHHHHHHHHHHH!!!!!!!
Goodness gracious…. please leave a comment today because it certainly is not guaranteed that you will be able to do it tomorrow 🙂
I think that NOW is a good time to pray <3
Dear Lord, thank You for this revelation as we begin our second week of this study. Help us today to begin anew living in the moment and not caught up in the past or the future…. but letting YOU lead and guide our steps in the now to be able to live abundantly in Your presence daily. Thank you, Lord, for this provision! Help us to live with a new sense of urgency with Your plan in the forefront of our hearts and minds. We love You Lord and we thank You for this guidance. In Jesus’ name we pray, amen <3
Your Assignment…..
How DO you live each day??? Do you live each day as if your life could go on forever… or like you could die at any moment? What do you need to change TODAY to begin to live with the urgency that God wants of you? Please leave me a comment below and let’s get this conversation started without delay!
Blessings,
Megan 🙂
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About Megan Smidt
oh, it is all about having God's perspective; i do SO yearn to remain, to be, to stay, to not budge or get distracted or veer away from God's perspective—eternity. my life truly is james 4: 14 and i want my heart to be thinking verse 15: "You ought instead to say, If the Lord is willing, we shall live and we shall do this or that [thing]." by His grace, TODAY that is where my heart will stay. (thank you, megan, for the encouragement!) <3
I love it, Coleen! You are such a mighty warrior for God's Kingdom <3
Wow!! Isn't that what we can say about this book? A few years ago there was a country song out called 'Live like you were dyin' It was an awesome song that spelled out a man's life that found out he was dying. I have to say it hit home as shortly after it came out, I found out I had cancer. After God healed me of cancer 3 years ago, my life began changing dramatically. Now, I have to admit I do not stick to what if it was my last day everyday, but I do wake up and say.' thank you Lord that my feet hit the floor.' I want to everyday follow that up with What can I do for You today. Thank you Megan for stirring it within me again today! 🙂
Praise God for your healing!!! I love that…. "What can I do for you today, Lord?" THAT is the posture we need to bring to every day and give our everything for His glory!!!
Wow, you're right, what a way to start a day! Death is in the forefront of my mind these days–but in reference to others, a dear friend dying in CA and my 90 yr old mother-in-law with physical issues that will lead to her death at some point. But for me? Yes I know it is very possible and in my relationship with Christ I'm ready. As Frederick Buechner said though I "do not know it in the sense of living as though it were true. On the contrary, I tend to live as though my life will go on forever." What would I do if I knew this were my last day on earth? I hope I would love more, share Jesus more openly…. Hmm, things I should be doing every day. "Holy Spirit, please keep prompting me to live today as if it is my last day!"
amen, Clella <3 i know I needed this reminder <3 praying alongside you
I have to admit that when I first started reading this chapter, I didn't like the sound of you may not finish this chapter, and this may be your last day. For one, it didn't seem to jive with I have given you life and life more abundantly – -live!! But, the more I thought about it, I was reminded that I should judge myself at all times, and ask the Lord to judge me, and show me where I am taking life for granted. Only then can an attidue of thanks and praise become a part of my prayer life for each moment.
we need to live in a constant state of refinement and wanting to be our best and live our best way for God!!! 🙂
YES! We need to have to posture with the Lord of constant refinement and rejuvination! We can always grow and we can always strive to do and be better through Him who gives us strength!!! <3
When I started reading, I was reminded of how our plans can change in a second. We are big "planners" in our family and when both Patrick and I were laid off this summer, it was such a reminder that we never know what is going to happen and how events will change your plans. Now mind you these were not big important plans to anyone but us, but I think it drove home the point of 1) are my plans God's will and 2) that there is an uncertainty about tomorrow may bring. For me, the biggest lesson has been to pray that God's will is followed in our lives and that our plans are His.
Cindy…. what powerful reminder! Our society drills us to put our trust and hope in things of this world and not things of eternity through Christ. Thank you so much for sharing this!!!
A sentence in my journal this morning, before I read this, says that I often feel pulled in so many directions and that when I try to just rest and be quiet, it is viewed as I am having a bad day or an attitude. Most times that is not the case, but sometimes it is. sometimes I just want to sit back and have Him whisper to me, to comfort me,and to consume my thoughts, but there are many times that "everything else" creeps back in. Letting "everything" have a sense of urgency isn't the way to be.. I need to change my perspective to His
Yes, Samele….. its all about listening to that still, small voice and being obedient when He woos us to that time with Him no matter what anyone else says or things (including ourselves!!!) He will make a way for everything that has to happen to happen, if we let Him <3
My hearts desire is to live each day for God and honor and glorify him in all that I do.
AMEN AMEN AMEN!!!!! 🙂
For myself it helps to say a prayer each morning asking for help with doing things for the glory of God and his kingdom. Some days it is a real struggle, mainly because worldly things can really carry some weight, but that is where I need to surrender it all to God and seek his guidance in those areas.
SO true, Jenn <3 starting your day off in prayer and seeking God's wisdom for your day can make al the difference 🙂 We are never in control…. and His way is perfect 🙂
Although I start the day focusing on God, that focus slips away at times during the day. I do forget that this life is temporary. I think of all there is yet to be done when I should be asking does my life honor Him. Do I reflect Him? That is my desire – to do His will and be a reflection of Him.
What are some things you can start doing to keep your focus on Him throughout the day, Cynda? What can you do different TODAY? Small changes really make a BIG difference <3
Today I struggle with this lesson. I do put things off, I plan for my summer vacation, weekend trips away with my husband. I know I will live forever, just not in this earthly body. I think that is part of my problem.
I love that Francis asks us to think of all the things that had to happen just for us to be breathing right now. Messages are sent from the brain to our organs and all the intricate things that we don't even know about our own bodies but take for granted they will do what they are supposed to do so we can continue to breathe.
Thank you Father God for one more day. One more day to show Your love, grace and mercy to the people I come into contact with daily. One more day to talk to someone else about all the wonderful things you've done in my life. Thank you most loving, gracious Father <3
echoing your beautiful prayer, Dawn <3
My life's lessons are such that I learned a long time ago there is no promise of a tomorrow. I was taught that you never let sleep come with ill discord between you and a loved one And always, always, let your friends and family know that you love them everytime you part. Like others, I express gratitude to God that a new day has dawned before my feet touch the floor. I ask that my actions, my day reflect his presence and that his will be done. Our day to day responsibilities do take time and can pull us from his study; I don't think offense is taken but we must make time and grab those free moments to meditate upon his word and in prayer. At the end of the day, his will be done. We should begin our day in his light, reflect during the course of our day and with his guidance end our day in his light.
…and it is much more likely we will all stay in accord with His will as we seek to live this way…. praying without ceasing <3
As I have watched the video and read the reading assignment it is hard for me to fathom that our life is a vapor eventhough it is sooo true, because I am sooooo guilty of living my life as though it would last forever instead of living it like it was my last day and letting God guide my steps. Francis Chan is so correct when he said that: On the average day, we live caught up in ourselves. On the average day, we don't consider God very much. On the average day, we forget that our life truly is a vapor. This statement alone slapped me right in the face and woke me up.
What Am I going to do different? Is to let God guide and direct my steps and live my life each day as if it were my last day.
Megan,
Thank you for an amazing blog you truly have been a blessing in my life.
Michelle
God loves you so much, Michelle…. and has such big plans for you <3 keep seeking Him 🙂
Thank you Megan!
I am so guilty at times of going through my day without giving God enough acknowledgement. Sometimes I get right into my routine and having given enough time to Him. Although when making large plans, my husband and I consider whether or not what we may be planning is God's will, but that line of thinking needs to be incorporated into every aspect of our lives. The beginning of this chapter is a huge eye opener for me.
Lord, I pray that my message makes it before it's time for me to go home! 🙂 (wink wink)
This is such a GOOD chapter!!! Wow, I can't believe how much I have underlined and highlighted!
A lot of great comments on here today! So many of my friends and loved ones have died in the last few years, that I have truly embraced "Carpe Diem"! (Seize the day). Also, I live with a terminally ill husband. No one is guaranteed tomorrow. Yes, we can make plans (in fact, one of my nicknames is "Patty Planner" =D), but we need to end the plans with "if the Lord wills". Live each day to the fullest, and glorify the Lord in whatever you do!
Love you Megan! I have a huge tendency to put things off til tomorrow, always thinking I will have lots of time. I really needed this reality check today!!! <3
I live each day as if I am going to live forever; I am definitely a procrastinator. I needed to read this today and do something today; not tomorrow.
Right now, I can honestly say that I live 90% of every weekday (which is my job…but yeah)for my daycare kids. When they arrive at my house in the morning, my mind goes to them. Every night, I spend time just being with hubby…watching tv, chatting, etc. It's become our normal routine. 🙂 What I see missing is time devoted just for CHRIST and He deserves that! I hate that I forget, or that I'll put it off until later. I'm hoping that through this study, I keep putting my focus where it should be!!!
amen, sister!!!! <3
xoxo 🙂
…or next week… 😉
Becky… He wants to come with you… be with you and the kids and be at the center of everything you do all day long! If you can, please try to work it into your schedule to have time with God every morning and just keep Him with you all day <3 Praying for you on this journey, friend 🙂
That is exactly what I've been trying to do. I have been trying to pray for the kids by name every morning as well. I want God to be in their lives! 🙂
Thank you for the prayers!!!
At this present time, I feel like I am living life depressed and hopelessly. Just going through the motions doing the minimum that I have to just to survive the day. Please pray that I can find hope and life and love and joy again. They seem to have been absent for far too long. 🙁