bits from bob....

When Will You Live?

by Robert J. Young
©, 2003, Robert J. Young
[permission is given to reprint with credit noted]

Some people never get around to living. Some people live every day three times--before it gets here, while it is here, and after it is gone. How do you live life? When will you live. This articles suggests four options for living life.

I. Some people continually live today tomorrow. That is procrastination. To put off until tomorrow that which should be done today only delays the inevitable, and fails to seize the moment. The time to live today is today. Tomorrow is not guaranteed. Tomorrow is only a promissory note. Tomorrow may be too late.

II. Some people live tomorrow today. This is the source of much worry. Worry about tomorrow before it arrives is futile. Thinking about what is in the future is helpful when one plans, but useless when one frets.

III. Some people live yesterday today. This is usually characterized by deep regret. Yesterday is gone. Yesterday cannot be relived.

IV. Jesus said, Live today today. "Sufficient unto the day is the evil thereof" (Matt. 6:34). What does that mean? The NIV says, Each day has enough trouble of its own. A few years ago I heard a wonderful sermon on tape and I do not remember now who preached the sermon. I do however remember the points, based on this text in Matt. 6:34.

• 1. Today is all you have. Today is here. Yesterday is past never to be recalled. Tomorrow is uncertain. You have today. Live today.
• 2. Today is all you can handle. Many people lived troubled lives worrying about yesterday or tomorrow. This day will be filled with its own challenges. Its troubles will be sufficient. Do not pile on more from the past or the future.
• 3. Today is all you need. You can be what God wants you to be today. Today is enough to answer God's call. Today is all we need.