By Vicki Dowell

CARPE DIEM! (SEIZE THE DAY!)

Psalm 90:12 “So teach us to number our days, that we might get us a heart of wisdom.” (AMPC)

In the last three weeks four members of our church body have lost close family members: a brother, a grandson, a father, a grandfather. Two passed from illness and two were taken suddenly. Irregardless of age or cause of death it is never an easy thing to say goodbye to those we love. Sometimes it leaves us with more questions than answers. Words of comfort, peace and even encouragement to be sure you’re saved and your life is in order flow abundantly. None of us know the number of days we have remaining on this earth. If we wanted to take the time, we could number the days we have lived. Some of us have lived more days than we have left. So knowing that we all will die how then should we live?

Ephesians 5:15-17 says, “Look carefully then how you walk! Live purposefully and worthily and accurately not as the unwise and witless, but as wise (sensible, intelligent people). Making the very most of the time (buying up each opportunity) because the days are evil. Therefore do not be vague and thoughtless and foolish, but understanding and fully grasping what the will of the Lord is.” (AMPC) Wow! That’s pretty clear.

We must take time to think about how we are living and devote ourselves to knowing the Word so we don’t miss the mark, the high calling of God. It’s easy to fall into routines that may cause us to miss something God is doing in our lives. We need to be aware of the “same ole, same ole.” God is not boring. He likes doing new things. James 4:14 tells us we don’t know what might happen tomorrow, that our life is but a vapor. How are we living each day? Are we living as a praise to God? 1 Thessalonians 5:6 warns us to be wide awake, sober. Look for God. He’s in the details. If we’re not paying attention we might miss Him. Life is a gift from God and He is waiting for us to enjoy it. God intends for us to live extraordinarily. We can’t allow ourselves to be distracted and follow trails that lead to nowhere and nothing. We must grab hold of what God created us for. Let’s grab ahold of life! Life is precious!

CARPE DIEM! So let’s seize every day we have left. Let’s make our lives extraordinary! Our goal in life should not be to have more leisure time, to obtain more material possessions or to get to do more of what we want to do. Our objective should be to live to glorify and please God. We should desire to be filled with more of His Spirit. He wants to give us a new perspective, His perspective. Are we genuinely thankful for every day? We can seek for something beyond ordinary by knowing God and seeing Him working in our lives every day.

I know that when my time comes, I don’t want my family and friends to talk about how I died. I want them to celebrate how I lived. Don’t you?

So: Be aware your days are numbered. Live wisely. Look for what God is doing in your life. Don’t miss Him. Be filled with the Holy Spirit. Seize the day. Live extraordinarily!