This is the day the Lord has made. We will rejoice and be glad in it. Psalm 118:24 NLT
My dad was famous in his circle for two statements: “God is good!” and “This is the day the Lord has made!” It was not unusual for him to bounce up the stairs in our two-story, wide-porched parsonage home and walk briskly to each of our rooms with his favorite announcement. My sister and I slept together in our four-posted bed, and when we drowsily heard him step into our room, we knew what was coming. With a huge smile, clapping his hands, Dad would say, “Wake up, girls! God is good! This is the day the Lord has made! It’s going to be a great day!”
He didn’t say that because anything overtly special was on the schedule or because he had a surprise planned. He said it because it was Dad’s mindset. He gave his heart and life 100% to God shortly after he returned from valiant service in World War II. It seemed only reasonable to him to serve the Lord with devotion as well. As he discovered God’s specific and unique role for him in answering the prayer for God’s Kingdom to come to the world in which he lived, he found the motivation and purpose for life to be fulfilling and meaningful.
When we recognize and accept the plans of God for our mission in the world, we too can live every day with joy and expectation. We don’t know who we will meet today whose life will change for eternity because they met us and began a relationship that eventually led to Jesus.
We have no idea the opportunity we may be given to be part of a decision and team effort that will open doors for God to move in a community or organization. We are unaware of the person who is emotionally gasping for air and hope to enable another step and not give up on life. But God has planned for what appears to be a random conversation; a conversation that gives light and hope. We just don’t know. But He does.
Our holy and almost inconceivable privilege is to wake up with joy and purpose and then walk through our world with the confidence that we are on mission for God. It is not a mission with one amazing and stupendous event. It is a mission with a daily target; a daily opportunity. We are to get up and go with the conviction that, “THIS is the day. I will work with my good, good God to accomplish His purposes today.” When we live like that, our eyes are open to see what we would otherwise overlook. We can hear past the noise to the whispers from people who need exactly what we have to offer. We have the energy to give our best in the most important mission in the world, a cause that will not be defeated. And we get to play a significant role in somebody’s destiny. Today.
- Today. Today is the day. You have people to impact, prayers to pray, hearts to lift, confusion and defeat to dispel. Get after it. This is why you are here. This is your mission. Today. Today is the day.