Seize the Day

Read Psalm 90:12

12         Teach us to realize the brevity of life,
                 so that we may grow in wisdom. (NLT)

It might seem morbid to say it, but we really don’t know what life is going to throw at us. None of us knows what is around the corner. Job was sitting back enjoying his prosperity and disaster came upon him. And most of us know people who have had something hit them out of left field. We ourselves may have experienced the sudden shock of realisation that life is not what we expected or even what he hoped for.

The Psalmist recognises this. He knows that life can be brief, and can be troubled. Rather than sink into gloomy despair or fatalism, he reminds us to make the most of the days we have. We are not to resign ourselves to the whims and fancies of circumstances, but we are to take hold of the opportunities those circumstances present to us.

We seize the day, each day, each moment. Not knowing what tomorrow brings need not consign us to despair. After all, God will be there for us tomorrow whatever happens. We live each day to the full, experiencing today in its fullness even as we are uncertain of tomorrow.

This is the way of wisdom. Not ignoring the fleeting or sometimes crazy nature of life. Rather making the most of life as it is for us right here and right now. Not ignoring the possibilities of tomorrow, but entering wholeheartedly into the certainties of today.

Blessings
David Reay