“Live each day as if thy
last” is a wise word from a hymn written in 1674 by Thomas Ken. The older we
get, the more needful its wisdom becomes, and if we have not already taken it
to heart, we should do so now. When we unpack Ken’s admonition, three thoughts
emerge.
First, live for God one day
at a time. Whatever long-term plans we may have, we need to get into the habit
of planning each day’s business in advance, either first thing each morning or
(better, I think) the day before. Glorifying God should be our constant goal,
and to that end we need to acquire the further habit of reviewing before God as
each day closes how far we have done as we planned, or whether and why and how
far we changed the plan to fit new circumstances and fresh insights, and in any
case how far we did the best we could for our God, and how far we fell short of
doing that.
Second, live in the present
moment. Get into the way of practicing God’s presence—more specifically,
Christ’s presence, according to his promise to be with us always (Matt.
28:20)—and cultivate the divine companionship.
Third, live ready to go when
Christ comes for you. Jesus’s words to the faithful eleven are in fact a
promise to all his faithful disciples in every age: In my Father’s house are
many rooms. If it were not so, would I have told you that I go to prepare a
place for you? And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come again and
will take you to myself, that where I am you may be also. (John 14:2–3). [1]
_____________________________________________________________
1. Excerpts from Packer, J. I.. Finishing Our Course with Joy:
Guidance from God for Engaging with Our Aging (Kindle Locations 131-147).
Crossway. Kindle Edition.
No comments:
Post a Comment