One Day at a Time

A few years ago, I started closing my emails and letters with the phrase “Looking Forward.” Although I am aware the statement appears unremarkable, as in “Looking forward to seeing you,” my intention is deliberate. My meaning is, “I am looking forward—not backward. The ambiguity of my ‘closing’ is there by design—hidden inside an otherwise innocuous statement.

I never imagined how significant this statement of faith was to become.  Since February when I had surgery for pancreatic cancer, I have tried to get back to normal. But I know I must rather embrace a more forward-looking view, a new normal that includes the uncertainty of cancer’s return. Without looking back, and not knowing what lies ahead, I must live one day at a time. 

 

Today I read a cancer survivor newsletter that said, “Don't look back, but remember what makes you happy [each day].” What makes me ‘happy’ is pleasing my Father by living one day at a time. Is it working? Not quite, but like Paul, “I [continue to] focus on this one thing: forgetting the past and looking forward to what lies ahead [one day at a time]” (Philip 3:13 NLT).

Red Lines, Deadlines, and Red Letter Days

Yesterday in his UN speech, Netanyahu made a case for establishing red lines and deadlines to stop Iran's nuclear weapons development. If those red lines are crossed, military action would result. But, the course of preference for the UN and U.S. is continued diplomacy and sanctions.

Generally speaking, ‘red lines’ and ‘deadlines’ are necessary in life. Without them, people get all willy-nilly—people need boundaries. Interestingly, some Bibles highlight all of Jesus' words in red, called "Red Letter Bibles." When we stay within Jesus' red lines of obedience, we have peace, joy, and feel God's love (John 15:10). You might even call those red letter days. But when we cross the lines, we lose all of that. We experience futility (Eph 4:17).

And does God give us ‘deadlines?’ Well, the obvious one is death. But I think we have a more immediate deadline, called “Today.” “Today if you hear his voice, do not harden your hearts as when they provoked me in the day of trial in the wilderness… [That is why] you must warn each other every day, while it is still “today” so that none of you will be deceived” (Heb. 3:7, 13). What happens when you miss today's deadline?  Don’t worry. Tomorrow is another “today.”

Kicking the Can down the Road

By this time next week, we will know whether or not Congress and the President have reached an agreement to raise the U.S. debt ceiling. One government policy expert gives it a 50/50 chance. My opinion: the debt will be raised. In the parlance of our president, we will kick the can down the road for the next generation to deal with. Why do I think that? Because it is human nature to do so.  We have become skilled procrastinators, expert evaders.  We distract ourselves with present prosperity, pastimes, and pleasures. ‘I’ll deal with this someday,’ we say, ‘but not today.’

One of the better kings of Judah, Hezekiah, is famous for such folly. After proving poor judgment by showing off all his treasures to wily Babylonian emissaries (whose armies would later return to pillage the nation’s riches), the prophet Isaiah reprimanded him, 'The time is coming when everything in your palace—all the treasures stored up by your ancestors until now—will be carried off to Babylon. Nothing will be left,' says the LORD. 'Some of your very own sons will be taken away into exile. They will become eunuchs who will serve in the palace of Babylon's king. Then Hezekiah said to Isaiah, "This message you have given me from the LORD is good." For the king was thinking, "At least there will be peace and security during my lifetime." (Isa 39:6-8) And thus, Hezekiah was content to kick the can down the road.

What is Keeping You from Hearing the Lord TODAY?

“Many people are so concerned with adding days to their life that they forget to add life to their days.” (Anonymous quote)

As a counselor, I have observed that most people think more about the past and the future than the present, so that the Holy Spirit’s voice cannot be heard over the internal din of regret and worry.

Holy Spirit says “Today if you hear [My] voice, do not harden your heart…” (Psalm 95:7; Hebrews 3:7, 13, 15; 4:7), exhorting us to pay attention to what He wants to tell us TODAY lest we become dull in our hearing Him.

The devil has two strategies to keep you from your TODAY experience of hearing the Lord. He tries to get your thoughts focused on your yesterdays’ mistakes, and if that should fail, he will try to fill your head with anxious thoughts about the future.

Paul says “forget what lies behind.” Jesus says, “Do not be anxious for tomorrow.”

The Holy Spirit is calling us to live the divine principle called TODAY. Do not let your mind be occupied with the useless regrets of yesterday and the future things over which you have no control. They will undoubtedly keep you from hearing Him TODAY.