Dear siblings,
I pray you are well. Most of us live for the future. Almost everything we do is governed by the desire to ‘make hay while the sun shines.’ Nothing is wrong with that premise – believers also do that. As we anticipate life in eternity, we also need to make ready till the Son comes. Consider Today’s Holy Nougat.
Hebrews 3:12-13 NIV
[12] See to it, brothers and sisters, that none of you has a sinful, unbelieving heart that turns away from the living God.
[13] But encourage one another daily, as long as it is called “Today,” so that none of you may be hardened by sin’s deceitfulness.
In This Moment
Recently, I was invited to participate in a TikTok challenge that took me way outside of my comfort zone. I accepted the challenge and said to the challenger that I would need to try it weekly. This, as I needed to build consistency. The person promptly replied, Challenge yourself for one day at a time. Then allow each new day to be the day you succeed. This advice has kept me going, and the challenge has become much simpler and feasible since then. Also, knowing that I have a cheerleader in the wings, also holding me accountable, helps.
Self-Check
How do you approach long-term challenges; Do you give up without trying, or give them the ‘old college try’?
Application
I mention my challenge because the principle offered to me applies to our Nougat. The epistle writer alludes to a fact stated elsewhere in the New Testament. We are all sinners in need of God’s grace. The writer expands that premise by challenging the audience to ensure that their hearts (and by extension, ours) were not inclined toward sin or turning away from God. Yet, if humanity is prone to wickedness and deceit – which are contrary to God’s nature – ensuring that we remain attuned to God’s way is like that TikTok challenge. It is no longer part of our nature.
Our writer also realised that, offering us the wisdom I received recently: ‘One day at a time. Starting Today.’
No hesitation.
No excuses.
Begin with recognising that the only time we’re assured of life is This Moment. Nothing else is guaranteed.
Then, realising that we have some control over this moment, and that we can make a choice, I pray we choose to soften our hearts to God’s way.
Having done so, we make the effort to hear God speaking. This involves becoming familiar with the ways God speaks, by reading the Bible and spending time in prayer. Siblings, if we wish to hear God’s voice, we need to make the time to do so. For those of us not doing so at this time, we must be intentional.
Of course, it is understood that in hearing God, we will obey. It isn’t worthwhile to hear God’s voice and sit on the information. Then it’s as if we didn’t hear. James reminds us that we must hear and obey God’s voice.
As with the introductory example, it is also helpful to be accountable. We strengthen and encourage ourselves more when we have others with whom we relate.
Siblings, we don’t know the day or time of Christ’s return. Neither do we know the hour of our demise. We do, however, have the assurance of this moment. Today, this moment, is definitely ours. Might we choose to live for Christ, according to God’s will, in this moment?
Point to Ponder
What is the main thing we would need to be held accountable for? Take it to God if we are uncomfortable sharing with our prayer/accountability partner.
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May all we seek be found in Christ
