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Psalm 118:24 – This is the day the Lord has made. We will rejoice and be glad in it. (NLT)
For the new year, people typically make resolutions focusing on changes and plans that they want to implement in their lives. I'd like to adopt the expression carpe diem, Latin for "seize the day" or "make the most of the present time". I want to resolve, with God's help, to make better use of the time given to me this coming year.
Most days during the busy month of December, first thing in the morning, it seemed as though I were rushing off to be somewhere or to do something. In the cold and dark, going out seemed even more difficult than usual. So, when I finally had a day at home to myself, I was happy and rejoiced in it. I'm a morning person, so in the early hours, my mind is clear and focused, and I do my best work. After reading my Bible and talking to the Lord, I have to make a choice about the most important priority for that day and get right down to it. I know that writing for the Lord is something that I'm supposed to be doing, so mornings are when I like to sit down at the computer. By afternoon, my energy starts to wane, and I get sleepy. The window of opportunity that the morning hours give is for me a clear picture of the expression carpe diem.
Colossians 4:5 – Be wise in the way you act toward outsiders; make the most of every opportunity. (NIV)
Just as I like to make the most of my morning hours, so we all need to make the most of the opportunities that God gives to us. For a few brief months when my three boys were young, I would drive them to school in the next town. Construction took place along one stretch of the highway, and the same flag person would be at that spot every day stopping us for a few minutes. One day, as I was thinking about her, I began to pray for her. As soon as I did, I got the thought, Give her a tract. Now, that is something that I had never done before, and I tried to suppress the thought. Okay, I can get one at the church, I conceded, but the next day, I forgot. Then, I found one written by Billy Graham, and it was about highways! Summoning my courage, I gave the tract to the flag person. "Thank you!" she said with a smile. A few days later, she was gone, and I never saw her again. I will never know this side of eternity what the result of my action was, but that's not what matters.
Like I did at that moment, will you seize the day and make the most of the opportunities that God puts in front of you?
Prayer: Dear Lord, thank You that You are sovereign over our days. Help us to make the most of our time and of every opportunity that You give us for doing good. In Jesus' name, we pray. Amen.
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Amen Alice!
Thank you, Alice, for this encouragement.
Thanks for the advice, Alice. Happy New Year.
Thank you, Alice, for sharing this encouraging devotional with us.
Blessings.
Great post, Alice! Thanks and may the new year continue to bring you God’s blessings and wisdom!
Such a timely devotional .Carp diem we should all try to seize the day and make the most of it. Thank you for sharing.
Thanks, Alice, for another of your special writings. Yes, it is important that we use our time each day to do good things and follow the ways of our loving Lord. Blessings for all that you do in honour of our Lord.
Thank you for your devotional. You may also know that Dr. Robert Schuller used Psalm 118:24 for the opening sentence on Hour of Power from southern CA for many years. And way back in 1950 I decided to take my first year of Latin at college in Iowa. Thank you for that Latin encouragement…carpe diem.
Thank you. This is the message I needed to hear for the New Year. I waste far too much time thinking about the future and making plans for things that are not in my control. I am also aware of God’s gentle leading to help those I encounter and too often I miss an opportunity to act on God’s plan for me. Happy New Year and God Bless You!
Dear Alice,
Yours is a good reminder for each day, for all of us. “Come near to God and He will come near to you.” That indeed is something worthwhile to resolve, with His help, to do!
Blessings,
(BC)
Your messages was right on for where I am now! Seize the Day! My daughter was diagnosed with, what the doctors say is terminal breast cancer. She is my youngest daughter. We are praying for a miracle of healing! But with a broken heart you sometimes cannot see the possibilities of a new day. As soon as I hit the floor in the early morning, many times I quote Psalm 118:24. This is the day… now I will add “Carpe Diem.” Go seize the day! Thank you for sharing your God given ministry of writing.
This is so timely! Our family has experienced extreme loss, and I question that so heavy a burden has been placed on us. Then I realize that most of them have never trusted in Jesus the way my husband and I do. They are watching,
“Is your faith helping?”
“Why this dreadful loss?”
“Why did God not intervene with healing?”
“Does God provide?”
“How could a Loving God do this?”
I have no answers, but as I live my life, day to day, some may see that trusting God, no matter what the outcome, brings us peace and restores hopeful living.
Bless you Alice,
(BC)
Good morning, Alice,
Great message. We all need encouragement especially on the dark days of winter.
I love your example of seizing the opportunity and even though you don’t know the result, you were okay not knowing. I had to learn over the years that it is God’s responsibility after I reach out. He is in charge, not me. That was not an easy lesson for me because I like to feel that I am making a difference.
I am glad that you choose to write devotionals with some of your precious morning time.
The music “Send the Light” is so appropriate for me because when the sun is shining, I am more likely to “seize the moment”. I will have to work on taking God’s opportunities, even when it is not bright out, because that might be the time someone needs me to reach out. Happy New Year and many blessings and opportunities.
Say thank you to those who serve us – the bus driver, the cashier in the bank and grocery store, the mailman – and many others – a smile and thank you.