by Carel Chan
Take hold of our Todays and trust the LORD for our Tomorrows.
I was once told by a professional landscaper that red ants and black ants do not “cohabit”. Each has their own nest, colony, and queen that they serve. Regardless of their differences, there is one general commonality among most species of ants – their industry and foresight. Conjoining forethought and hardworking with ants is often an analogy of wisdom which we are familiar with.
Proverbs 30:25 says, “Ants – they aren’t strong, but they store up food all summer.”
These small creatures that can be so easily crushed with the strength of a finger is comparable in intelligence to the elephant, which is the largest land animal on earth. The wise ants not only have a keen sense of forethought but also an active awareness of the Now.
Some of us learned the importance of planning for the future from our parents, in school, and when attending motivational seminars. And that is great knowledge to have but it should not stop there. I learned through the lesson of Proverbs 30:25, that foresight is good but taking hold of the Now is equally, if not, more important. Without making the best of Todays, the plans for our future cannot be materialized. Without storing up food in the summer, there will not be food and warmth in the cold winter for the ants. Likewise, we must recognise that our best days are Now! Don’t miss out what we can have and do Now. Seize the moment of Now and do what we should and what we could. As for our future? The Bible says in Proverbs 16:9, “We can make our plans, but the LORD determines our steps.” Therefore, entrust our future to the Lord. Take hold of our Todays and trust the LORD for our Tomorrows.
Today will soon be our Yesterday, which we can no longer change. And since we have no control of our Tomorrow, our only confidence is to make the best of our Today. For we do not know what tomorrow will bring. Instead of regretting what we have not done Yesterday, or worrying about what will happen to our Tomorrow, seize Today, and make the best out of our Now. Don’t keep putting things off until Tomorrow, do what you need to do Today and Tomorrow will have another set of “to-dos” waiting for you.
Today will soon be our Yesterday, which we can no longer change. And since we have no control of our Tomorrow, our only confidence is to make the best of our Today.
Give thanks for every moment we have now. Enjoy and cherish every relationship that the Lord has established in our lives Today. Admittedly, not every relationship is always a joy to our life and sometimes they can be a pain in the neck. But love and cherish each one of them NOW regardless of what they may bring to our lives. For one day we may miss even the most irritable nag and the pettiest squabbles that exist in these relationships.
For close to two years, I have not been able to return to Singapore because of the pandemic. Borders are closed and even if they do re-open, the situation is so volatile that it makes returning challenging. Not to mention, the cost of return has increased significantly with travel fare surging considerably. What I really missed most these two years is the presence of my mother and aunt. I missed bickering with my mother over the slightest disagreement. I missed listening to my aunt reminiscing and repeatedly talking about her life experiences. Besides that, I missed the physical gathering in River Church. In retrospect, it has deepened my understanding to live each day seizing the moment and treasuring each minute and second in the relationships I have.
In the same way, take hold of our Today and excel in our work, be it our career or the ministry that God has set in our path. Do all that we can Today to give our best at work and in serving God. Seize every opportunity Today to share the gospel. Live every second to glorify the LORD and make our Todays count for Him, His Kingdom, and our lives.
Jesus said, “No procrastination. No backward looks. You can’t put God’s kingdom off till tomorrow. Seize the day.” Luke 9:62 (MSG)
Let’s not miss what you have Now and what you can do Today. Seize it and bring it into full alignment with God’s purpose for your life. Let us not look back and regret what we have not done nor look ahead and be anxious about the future. God bless your Today as you make it count for Him.
Visit our Sermon Series on “A Better Way”, for more inspirational messages on building Character that counts for God.