Monday, August 10, 2009

What Are Your Plans For Today?

Today is another big day at Skipstone. Soon the quiet serenity of our 64 acre campus will be overtaken by the squeals and laughter of more than 170 students and staff as they return for a new year of school at Skipstone Academy,

As my own children have gotten older, the drama and anticipation of "the first day of school" has dramatically decreased. Oh, they are still excited, but not like in years past when we spent weeks preparing for the big day. In fact, what used to be a marathon of shopping for clothes and school supplies, getting new hairdos, and always picking out the coolest new pair of shoes, has now become a quick stop by Sam's and Walmart on the Sunday afternoon before school starts on Monday!

As I was thinking about today, and the spectrum of emotions that so many people will be facing, I stumbled upon an interesting thought....what if we were as intentional about every day as we are about the first day of school? Before you quit reading, just think about how much time, energy, planning, prayer, thought, and preparation have gone into this day. If you want proof, log into facebook and you'll find that about 80 percent of the posts have something to do with "back to school". It's really quite fascinating that we are so focused and intentional about making sure the first day of school goes off without a hitch.

So the question looms.... what if we chose to make every day intentional? The fact is that most of us spend the bulk of our time either complaining or reeling about what happened yesterday or dreading or anticipating what might happen tomorrow. Right smack in the middle of those is a wonderful little word called "today"!

The psalmist said it this way "This is the day the Lord has made; let us rejoice and be glad in it" - Psalm 118:24. Do we really look at today as a gift from God to celebrate? Do we plan to make the most of every minute of today or is our goal simply to survive today and get to tomorrow?

I don't think it's a simple thing to grasp..... the idea of of really living today intentionally. I also don't think that our challenge to make the most of "today" is unique to us. Listen to what the apostle Paul said in Philippians 3:13-14 "Brothers, I do not consider myself yet to have taken hold of it. But one thing I do, Forgetting what was behind and straining toward what is ahead I press on toward the goal to win the prize for which God has called me heavenward in Christ Jesus."

Paul said it well.... he really hadn't grasp the idea either! While that was true, he did understand three important principles:
1. Forget about yesterday! The good, the bad, the pain, the prize, the failure, or the success..... forget it! We can't change it, repeat it, or delete it, so we need to FORGET it!
2. Life is a strain! We are not promised on easy road, only a faithful companion. If we are going to live intentionally today, it will require effort on our part....not just half-hearted service, but sacrificial, selfless service that may cost us our comfort, our plans, and our agenda! It will be a STRAIN!
3. The Christ-life is a calling! Apart from the calling of God on our lives, and the inherent power that resides in us through a genuine personal relationship with Jesus, we are powerless to make today count for anything but rubbish. In contrast, the calling of Christ gives us power so far beyond ourselves that it's remarkable to consider what one person, who is completely sold out and surrendered to God, can accomplish for His glory is one intentional day!

What are your plans for today? Do you plan to impact eternity today? Where is your focus... on yesterday, today, or tomorrow? Are you feeling the strain? Where will the power for your day from from? Are you answering the call of Christ or limping through today in your own strength?

Lord help me to consider your plans for me today. Thank you for the gift of today that you have given me, another opportunity to serve you and to be an instrument of your love and grace to a dark and dying world. Empower me by your Holy Spirit to live my life in a way that will make today count for eternity!

Whatever It Takes,
Chip

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