How Would You Answer?

“Then Jesus said to His disciples, ‘If anyone wishes to come after Me, he must deny himself, and take up his cross and follow Me. For whoever wishes to save his life will lose it; but whoever loses his life for My sake will find it. For what will it profit a man if he gains the whole world and forfeits his soul? Or what will a man give in exchange for his soul? For the Son of Man is going to come in the glory of His Father with His angels, and will then repay every man according to his deeds.’” Matthew 16:24-27

If you knew that today would be your last day to live, how would you live it? Tragically, many people have great difficulty finding an answer to this question. Many would say, “I wouldn’t do anything different.” Some would take the day off and spend it with family and friends. Others might use the time to rectify past wrongs. How people value their lives is clearly reflected in their responses.

Yesterday has come and gone; tomorrow is not yet here; all we have is now - today. What we do with today will be indelibly printed on the pages of tomorrow and eternity. Martin Luther is said to have had only two days on his calendar - Today and That day. We too should live for Today - with That day fully on the horizon.

How do you live today to the fullest without simply “living for today”? It all depends upon your focus. Where does your hope find its foundation? What holds your affection? Which desires rule and reign in your daily life? Are you focused on Christ?

There is a familiar and challenging statement which stands as a sentinel to the wayward. It reads:
“Only one life, will soon be past,
Only what’s done for Christ will last.”

Each day of our lives ought to add another stroke to the painting of our lives.