Today & Tomorrow!

 

Many of you know that I tend to be a planner. I’m usually looking down the road at least three months in advance, often much more. This is true both in my work at the church and in my personal life. I’m always looking at my calendar and planning the next steps that need to be taken, what I need to do to prepare for that which is on its way, laying out plans for a new preaching or teaching series, or looking ahead to our next family vacation.

 

Such was the case a number of years ago when Kim and I took our kids to Disney World in Orlando. At the time Jonathan was ten years old, Nathaniel was eight, and Joanna was seven. This was a big trip for us as a family and I wanted to make sure we didn’t waste money or time. So, I put together an itinerary for our five days in Disney which included which park we would go to each day, which rides had fastpass, when we would go back to the hotel and take breaks, some dinner reservations, etc. Most of it was all put together about four months before we went. It turned out to be a great trip and we were glad for the planning we (I) had done for it saved us a lot of time and grief—we didn’t have to spend a lot of time standing around trying to figure out what to do next.

There’s a lot of good associated with planning. One pastor I worked for used to say to the staff, “If you don’t plan, you plan to fail!”  In our culture, our mindset is such that we tend to always be looking ahead and anticipating that which is to come; we tend to constantly be making plans. Yet, when you think about it, our lives are in actuality lived in the present—the now, today, on a day to day basis. We can do all the planning we like, but the fact is, that which happens now determines our future. One bad decision today, a sudden illness that comes upon us in the now, an unforeseen event that occurs in the present can destroy all of our plans and projections, no matter how good or detailed they may be. What happens today will surely affect what happens tomorrow.

 

It’s no wonder the Bible tells us that God “daily bears our burdens” (Psalm 68:19) Jesus taught us to ask God for “our daily bread.” (Matthew 6:11) He taught his disciples to “take up (their) cross daily and follow (him).” (Luke 9:23) And, we are told by the writer of Hebrews to “encourage one another daily, as long as it is called ‘Today….’” (Hebrews 3:13) The biblical mindset is such that, although it doesn’t object to planning ahead, it does teach us to make sure we are living our lives trusting God, following Christ, and being a blessing to others daily, in the present, today.

It’s ok to plan for the days to come. In fact, it’s a good thing to be able to plan ahead; I myself will continue to do so. Let’s make sure, however, we are living for God today for it will be our today that will determine our tomorrow!

“I tell you, now is the time of God’s favor, now is the day of salvation.” (2 Corinthians 6:2 – NIV)

 

Have a great day!

 

Pastor Tim Harris