This is the day the Lord has made; We will rejoice and be glad in it.  (Psalm 118:24 NKJV)

Ralph Waldo Emerson said, “We are always getting ready to live but never living.”  I must confess I have spent time living for the next vacation and waiting for life to finally run smoothly.  I do not always greet my typical day, with its checklist of chores to be completed, with much enthusiasm. With God’s help, I’m learning to live my life in His strength and view each day as a gift.

Jesus had a special love for children. Young children do not worry about the future, and they give little or no thought to the past. They live in the present, a lesson we adults can learn.  God doesn’t promise us tomorrow, but He gave us today.  If we live in the future, we put off living until later.  God wants us to live joyfully and to enjoy the day He has given us.  Each day is a gift from God, and we will never have this day again.

While some people live in the future, others focus on the past and regret the choices they have made.  If left unchecked, dwelling on the past not only steals the present but can zap the joy of living.  There is forgiveness in Christ, and condemnation has no place in a Christian’s life.  (Romans 8:1)  Our Heavenly Father wants us to live an abundant life in Christ, a life that grows in Him, a life that depends on Him, and a life of joy and peace. 

Father, thank You for the gift of each day.  I pray for Your strength to help us meet the demands of daily life and to live joyfully in Christ.  Touch the lives of all who read this and bless them with and peace and joy.  In Jesus’ name.  Amen.