Trip For a Lifetime: Day 15
One Day at a Time
Do not worry about tomorrow for tomorrow will worry about itself. Matthew 6:34
You do not even know what will happen tomorrow. What is your life?
You are a mist that appears for a little while and vanishes. James 4:14
When you face a long race or a task that seems to have no end, you can be overwhelmed by the daunting journey before you. The mountain can look too high or the river too wide. If you can’t take one step at a time, or take one day at a time, your anxiety level and chance of getting through it with grace are almost impossible.
Trying to stay focused on today made me think of the song, “One Day at a Time”. “One day at a rime, sweet Jesus is all I’m asking from you. Just give me the strength to do every day what I need to do. Yesterday’s gone, And tomorrow may never by mine.” This long journey can cause us to look for the finish line when it’s not yet in sight.
It becomes so important for you to be present when you’re talking to your wife, kids, family, friends or co-workers. Don’t get distracted by what tomorrow holds or, next week, or next month. The people you are around need you now, not sometime in the future. Sure, you need to be somewhat prepared for the tomorrows, but the enemy will have you going through the “what if’s” the “buts” and other endless possibilities.
A few years ago when my wife was extremely ill, the tomorrows looked like every one would present such challenges that my hope had been robbed, my joy was lost. The LORD showed me a vision at a very important time. Where a little boy (me) was walking with a man (Jesus). We were walking down a highway that seemed to go on forever. The highway would make curves and go over hills. It was a highway in the desert where you could see a long way, I was pulling Him over to the side and jumping up and down so I could see better. He asked me what I was doing. I told him I was trying to see what was around the next turn or over the next hill. He asked me why didn’t I stop that. It had created such problems for me. He told me “I had lived my whole life like that.”
He told me two things that become part of who I am now. First he said we have been walking for a long time and you haven’t even talked to me and second there are things right here on the side of the road I need you to do. You are so worried about what’s ahead you can’t focus on what is important.
Since that day I have become more aware of what’s important now and how precious this moment in time is. I usually pray every morning, “LORD, give me excitement and joy for this day. LORD, don’t let me miss what You have for me today and what you need me to do today.
LORD, strengthen my brothers & sisters. Help them to take one day at a time.