I thought about some advice I recently saw on one of those Facebook meme’s, and at first glance, it was such a nice sentiment.
LIVE EVERYDAY LIKE IT’S YOUR LAST
Then I realized how impossible that would be.
If I knew today was my last day, what would be the most important things to me?
What would I want to do with my last 24 hours?
These things certainly wouldn’t make the list:
Clean the house
Do laundry
Pay bills
Go to work
For that one day and maybe even 2 days or a week even, it would be okay. But can you imagine what would happen if I lived everyday like that?
My house would be filthy – and I’d be there to live in that filthy mess! I wouldn’t like that at all. I especially wouldn’t like anyone else to come to my home and discover such a pigpen!
My bills would all be late which would hurt my credit and eventually all my utilities would be shut off. Which would probably be okay since I wouldn’t have the money to pay them anyway, as I stopped going to work.
What would I do with my days instead?
It’s my last 24 hours – I’d want to:
What? What would we REALLY do with them if we knew absolutely these were our last 24 hours to live and breathe on this earth?
The reality is, we ought to live like any moment could be our last, but not to the exclusion of the things that simply must be taken care of in the event tomorrow is going to come.
I was reading through the Gospels again recently, and one of the things that really stuck out this time through was how Jesus managed to get all the mundane, daily things done that needed to be done, but also took care of the really important stuff, too.
He did those things in the midst of doing the daily chores.
He did the daily chores in the midst of doing the miracles.
He miraculously fed over 5000 people with just 2 loaves of bread and 3 fish while taking care of the daily task of preparing lunch.
He ministered to a truly hurting woman who stood accused by those wanting to put her to death during the course of His job as a teacher.
While house cleaning He swept His Fathers temple clear of money changers and other assorted vermin.
Because He lived each day with the right mindset and attitude a woman who had been very ill for 12 years was able to benefit from a momentary, fleeting encounter with Him while he was en route to another appointment in the course of His day.
Watching Him, his disciples learned that they too could go about their daily lives, making a living, cleaning their homes, doing their chores, in such a deliberate fashion that allowed the Holy Spirit to work through them to touch the lives of others in meaningful ways that would have eternal consequences.
Whether catching fish, collecting taxes or cooking meals they could affect change in the world around them by effecting the people around them with righteous attitudes and faith behaviors while executing the ordinary chores of their daily lives. Just like Jesus did. Just like we can.
Colossians 3:22-24
Servants, obey in all things your masters according to the flesh; not with eyeservice, as menpleasers; but in singleness of heart, fearing God;
And whatsoever ye do, do it heartily, as to the Lord, and not unto men;
Knowing that of the Lord ye shall receive the reward of the inheritance: for ye serve the Lord Christ.
Who knew the daily grind could be so exciting and productive? How might you go about your daily life, taking care of those necessary chores, while also living deliberately to accomplish "The List" Jesus instructed His followers to complete?
What ways are you living out your Christian faith while going about daily tasks? Share your examples below!
