Charles Hummell once said, “The past cannot be regained, although we can learn from it; the future is not yet ours even though we must plan for it … Time is now. We have only today.”
Far too many people waste their time living in the past or worrying about the future. We actually have only today to live, and it is foolish to spend that time preoccupied with the past, which we cannot regain, or fearing the future, over which we have little control. We need to appreciate the gift of today and use it wisely, remembering the Psalmist’s words, “This is the day which the Lord has made. Let us rejoice and be glad in it.”
Our Lord gives us wise advice when he says, “Do not worry, saying, ‘What shall we eat?’ or ‘What shall we drink?’ or ‘What shall we wear?’ For the pagans run after all these things, and your heavenly Father knows that you need them. But seek first His kingdom and His righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well. Therefore do not worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will worry about itself. Each day has enough trouble of its own.”
How should we spend our time each day? So many folks never think ahead and just stumble through the day letting the surrounding circumstances guide their actions. Wouldn’t it be wonderful if each of us every morning before getting out of bed asked ourselves, What can I do today that will help someone else? Instead of thinking of ourselves, if we would try to dedicate each day to serving others, how much happier not only would we be, but also those who benefit from our thoughtfulness.
Certainly our Lord was constantly thinking of the needs of others. Jesus himself went forty days without food, but when he preached to the multitude, he was so concerned that folks might faint if they were not fed that he provided food, even though they had only missed a meal or two. He had compassion for the multitudes that followed after him even when he was desperate for solitude in the wilderness after the shock of the death of John the Baptist. When he was being arrested by the mob, he healed the man whose ear Peter had chopped off, and then negotiated so that all his disciples could escape. Paul tells us to follow his example, saying, “We who are strong ought to bear with the failings of the weak and not to please ourselves. Each of us should please his neighbor for his good, to build him up. For even Christ did not please himself.”
Thinking of others does not necessarily require us to do great spectacular deeds. No, often a little action, that helps someone when needed, is sufficient. Jesus gives the example of a drink of water, saying, “And if anyone gives even a cup of cold water to one of these little ones because he is my disciple, I tell you the truth, he will certainly not lose his reward.”
How often do we think about what simple acts of kindness we might be able to do that will help someone along who might need it? If we ask ourselves this question every morning before arising, will it make a difference in what we do during the day? Stephen Covey once said, “How different our lives are when we really know what is deeply important to us, and keeping that picture in mind, we manage ourselves each day to be and to do what really matters most.” Jesus never lost sight of his purpose. He said that the Son of man came not to be ministered to but to minister and told his disciples that anyone who wants to be the greatest must serve others. We need to serve by filling each day with acts of kindness to others. When we are so busy serving our Lord, we actually will not have time to worry about the past or fear the future.
Sometimes an act of kindness can be misunderstood. There is the story of a mother who asks her daughter to check on an elderly neighbor. She says to the little girl, “Go next door and see how old Mrs. Jones is today.” The girl comes running back a little frightened having done just as her mother asked. The neighbor’s response? It is none of their business how old she is today!
The story is humorous, but the point is, we should not hesitate to be kind even though our efforts may be misinterpreted. A little misunderstanding can be quickly corrected, and no doubt in this case after hearing the explanation, the neighbor would appreciate the mother’s thoughtfulness.
Jesus tells us what he will say to the righteous when he judges them: “For I was hungry and you gave me something to eat, I was thirsty and you gave me something to drink, I was a stranger and you invited me in, I needed clothes and you clothed me, I was sick and you looked after me, I was in prison and you came to visit me.” The righteous reply that they do not remember having done these things for Jesus, but Jesus explains, “The King will reply, ‘I tell you the truth, whatever you did for one of the least of these brothers of mine, you did for me.’ ”
Let us resolve to fill our days doing kind things for others so that the Lord will say to us, “Come, you who are blessed by my Father; take your inheritance, the kingdom prepared for you since the creation of the world.”
The Origin of the Organic World – Part One