What did you hope would happen when you woke up today? You probably tend toward one extreme or another in your response. Either it will be a ‘normal’ day where nothing surprising happens and you go about your day, with what you want to do, making you happy that things went your way…today. Or it will be a memorable day where you have breakthroughs in getting things done, developing a new mindset and habits in how you go about your life going forward, or you were used in an influential way to dramatically change someone’s life. You may agree that most days are neither one of these things, but days filled with some progress as well as some unwanted surprises or disappointments as well. You may have some unique things planned, or you may encounter some other unexpected things that will make your day and stay in your memory for the rest of your life. When you take a break from your plans and listen to what God may have for you, some remarkable things can happen. Do you have the same hopes and attitude each day you wake up?
This is the day that the Lord has made; let us rejoice and be glad in it. Psalm 118:24
Some wake up each day and say ‘Another day – Another Dollar’ and put their boots on and go to work. For some who wake up today, it may be the most memorable day of their life…a day they are born again, a day they lose someone close to them, a day their first child is born, a day that stays with them forever. Unless you ask, you never know what someone else is going through. I have lots of memories from growing up, but I don’t think I recall any entire day, but just bits and pieces from different ones. But each memory is significant and marks a unique day lived. Are most of your memories about the same, good or bad, and why? Most often the memories that stay with us the longest are tied to a strong emotion and a unique experience in our lives. Do you want each day you live to be a memorable day?
For he says, “In the time of my favor I heard you, and in the day of salvation I helped you.” I tell you, now is the time of God’s favor, now is the day of salvation. 2 Corinthians 6:2
You will encounter a wide variety of people at different places in their lives each day. Unless you prod and pry a little and take a moment with them, you will not likely know much about what is going on in their lives on any given day. With each encounter, we can build them up, tear them down, or leave them indifferent. Pray for these people, as it may not only change their lives, it will most likely change yours as well. Whether its praying for others when you get up, go to bed, or as you go about your day, it keeps your heart and mind in a good place. I’ve even found that a 3 second prayer for someone you are passing on the road can change my heart in a good way. We can all get into a mode where we get tunnel vision and don’t see or hear well what is going on with others around us, and mostly are just concerned with where we are headed. If we have a little more margin and take an extra minute to talk to someone, we often can see better what is going on below the surface. Dare you even take an extra minute to pray with someone who needs that word today. As you go about your day, may you find unexpected opportunities to hear and bless others. Hopefully you will grow closer to God and to others in the process!
Yours in Christ,
Clark
