‘You Still Have Today’: Maximizing Your Time in a Minimizing World

What I’m sure of while trekking through life is that I want to do nothing less than live for Jesus Christ. This life is not my own, and I must be intentional and diligent to love Jesus and people more: “For to me, to live is Christ and to die is gain” (Phil. 1:21).

I’m desperately aware of my need to respond differently than I do at times. I want to respond and act in love, compassion, with a positive attitude and with an always-present peace in my spirit. I want to live for eternity and not temporal things. I want and need Jesus to help me set my mind on things above and not on earthly things.
 
Life is short and I understand this reality. I believe I’m aware of this truth more than I’d like to be. While I want to live free, enjoying everything around me, including myself; I can’t waste anything. There’s no time for that. I can’t waste the beautiful gift of living, serving and knowing Christ and sharing it with others.

I’ve never lost a loved one, but I’ve watched others go through this traumatic and life-altering experience. I can’t understand or fully comprehend their pain, suffering and grief; but I pray for them and realize only the overwhelming love and comfort of God can heal and help them. This is one of the most eye-opening, foundation-shaking and spiritual-awakening situations for people. This is a time to reevaluate, reorder, prioritize and make changes for the glory of God.

Because at the end of this life on earth; the only things that will remain of our existence here are the works we’ve done for the Lord.

It’s time to reexamine life. It’s time to put things in order. It’s time to change our thinking and behavior and allow God to do great works in us and through us. It’s time because we have the time right now. Some have no more time; some will be out of time sooner than they know. But this is the truth: “Why, you do not even know what will happen tomorrow. What is your life? You are a mist that appears for a little while and then vanishes” (James 4:14).

This is a sweet and gentle, yet firm and timely word of confirmation. You can’t remain complacent; there is a world in need of God’s all-consuming love, mercy and grace. You are the hands and feet of Christ Jesus. You have responsibilities and a powerful God who gives you the strength, endurance, perseverance and provisions to do His works. Allow the Holy Spirit to speak to you and lead you in new and exuberant ways.

It’s never too late, if you have today!

“For we are God’s handiwork, created in Christ Jesus to do good works, which God prepared in advance for us to do” (Eph. 2:10).

Wherever you walk, walk in love.
Whomever you meet, greet and leave with an attitude of love.
Whatever you do, do it in love.
Whenever you leave, leave love behind.
Whomever you speak to, speak to them with love.
Whatever you think, let love be your guide.
Because simply said; “Love never fails” (1 Cor. 13:8a).

I dedicate this blog post to a courageous, world-changing, forever mentor, who lived a short life on earth to make one of the greatest eternal impacts, in leaving behind a legacy of love and faith. In honor and loving memory of Nabeeel Qureshi. {eoa}