Live The Today

By Iris Nelson August 23, 2017 Devotion

Come now, you who say, “Today or tomorrow we will go into such and such a town and spend a year there and trade and make a profit”— yet you do not know what tomorrow will bring. What is your life? For you are a mist that appears for a little time and then vanishes. Instead you ought to say, “If the Lord wills, we will live and do this or that.” (ESV – James 4:13-15)

So often we look toward the future, and we forget to live the today. Don’t get me wrong; I do have plans and dreams that I want to come to fruition. However, I often forget what is right in front of me; the here and now.

No one knows what tomorrow will bring. Will my family be healthy tomorrow? Will we have food? A roof over our head?

You see, when my husband fell ill at the beginning of the year, fighting for his life, I was scared. I couldn’t image being without him the rest of my earthly life. Everything (I mean everything) can change in the blink of an eye.

Take the clerk at my favorite bakery as an example. James was always friendly, and remembered what I usually purchased. The last time I saw him, he did not look well. But instead of checking if he was okay, I just moved about my own business. Little did I know that he passed away shortly after I saw him last. I found out from one of the other clerks that he had brain cancer, and it took him quickly. James was 4 years younger than I am…same age as my sweet sister.

My sweet friends; you may make plans for tomorrow, but please, don’t forget to live the today.

Lord of heaven and earth. When I am in the fast lane of life, please help me to remember to live the today. Tomorrow is not guaranteed. Help me to live, love, and laugh well. Help me to make an impact on the people I share life with. I am trusting in Your mercy. In the precious name of Jesus, Amen.