Carpe diem

Carpe diem. Although God does not need my help, He invites and encourages me to take a role in building His Kingdom. Random thought: We talk about our trusting Him, but how much faith does it take for Him to trust us with such critical work? Obviously, He would be more efficient working alone, but He's coming at this thing from more than one angle, isn’t he? Part of my transformation into Christ-likeness comes from watching Him work. In order to be close enough to get a good look, I have to be involved. Seize the day.

You are the light of the world. A town built on a hill cannot be hidden. Neither do people light a lamp and put it under a bowl. Instead they put it on its stand, and it gives light to everyone in the house. In the same way, let your light shine before others, that they may see your good deeds and glorify your Father in heaven.  -Matthew 5:14-16 (NIV)

I once looked at salvation as consisting primarily, perhaps almost exclusively, of my heavenly reward. The old “pie in the sky when you die by and by” bit. The Spirit taught me over time that salvation is much deeper than that. Eternal life starts now. It is the forging of a relationship with my Creator (Forge: to form something, such as metal, by heating and hammering). The outcome of that is a reflection of King and Kingdom in my life to the world around me. Imagine, we actually have the opportunity to be part of the answer to the prayer Jesus taught His disciples: "Your kingdom come, Your will be done on earth as it is in heaven" (Matthew 6:10). Don’t take that lightly! Seize the day.

Be wise in the way you act toward outsiders; make the most of every opportunity. Let your conversation be always full of grace, seasoned with salt, so that you may know how to answer everyone.  -Colossians 4:5-6 (NIV)

Of course, it's only a part, a precursor to the day when He says "Time's up!" and comes to restore and make all things new. God's will will be done, whether we decide to come along or not. Still, even though we know that God's plan for the universe does not depend on us, it's exciting to realize it most definitely includes us. The window of time in which we operate is finite. In fact, it is so brief in the scheme of eternity that scripture compares it to a mist that disappears when the sun comes up (James 4:14). Seize the day.

 But exhort one another every day, as long as it is called “today,” that none of you may be hardened by the deceitfulness of sin. For we have come to share in Christ, if indeed we hold our original confidence firm to the end.  -Hebrews 3:13-14 (ESV)

Heads up, eyes open, men! Seize the day.