"Teach us to number our days, that we may gain a heart of wisdom." Psalm 90:12 "Be very careful, then, how you live --not as unwise but as wise, making the most of every opportunity, because the days are evil. Therefore do not be foolish, but understand what the Lord's will is." Ephesians 5:15-17. "Make the rest of your life, the best of your life." Curiano. One Moment in Time, song by Whitney Houston. "
How many times have you heard that cute, almost prophetic, little song, "Que sera sera?" (Que sera sera, whatever will be will be, the future is not ours to see, que sera sera). The theme throughout is true, "the future is not ours to see." However, "whatever will be will be," is not quite accurate. Why? Because we have a lot to say about "whatever will be." If you spend your time living a life of folly, then you may find yourself in a sad state of affairs when you get (old) older with nothing, meaning no resources to sustain a suitable life. You may find yourself homeless, friendless or worse. That is what "will be" because you neglected to plan for anything else. "Life is a one time offer, use it well." Unknown author.
In the above noted psalm, the Psalmist is asking God to teach us to number our days. He is asking that this be done so that there is an appreciation of the life that we have been given and the brevity of it so that we are mindful not to waste it. God is here to help us to grow in wisdom which is important in making choices. It is no secret that choices have consequences, even eternal. The wiser we are, the greater our likelihood to make wise choices. Wisdom prepares and equips us to take advantage of every opportunity presented to live our life to the fullest potential.
Having a fatalistic viewpoint is not biblical; the plans that God has for our life is not limited by what someone writes in a song. It is not even thwarted by what is predicted by those who are plotting against you. It is up to you and me to believe that God's plan for our life is not to harm us, but to prosper us. Jeremiah 29:11. And that "no weapon formed against you will prosper." Isaiah 54:17. Do you believe this? I certainly hope so. The problem is that often we do not act like we do. Yes, the world is full of booby traps, some we set, and some set by others. Let's get rid of half of the problem right now. "Stop setting traps for yourself." It's like the man who went to the doctor and said (raising his arm), "It hurts when I do this." The doctor responded, "Stop doing that." Take this advice. For everything else, our God is greater. He is greater no matter what. Do not be foolish by being taken in with all the awful things out in the environment and losing your focus. If you can do something to change things for the better, do so. But, do not let it change you for the worse. That is not the path that you are supposed to be on.
Your dream does not have an expiration date. The question is, "Do you have a dream?" Have you ever had one? If not, why not? Get one! Perhaps your dream has been deferred. Read Langston Hughes, "What Happens to a Dream Deferred?" I have good news for you: deferred is not denied. One caveat, you have to want to realize your dream. Do not make excuses for why you have not followed and/or achieved your dream. The first thing Jesus asked of the man lying by the pool of Bethesda who had an infirmity for 38 years, was "Do you want to be made well?" John 5: 5-6. If you do not try or if you quit, nothing will happen. Take a deep breath and continue your pursuit, knowing that you are not alone in your quest.
Life/time is a series of moments strung together which extends out into days, months and years. But, everything starts with a moment. From the moment you open your eyes at the top of the day, you have the chance to make each moment count. Within those moments are the wonderful things that you can accomplish to make a difference. The task is to be purposeful and intentional in each moment. It is said that each of us will have at least 15 minutes of fame in his life. I am not sure whether I believe this. But, let's say that I did. Would you not want those fifteen minutes to reflect something that was reminiscent of your true essence and the love you have for yourself and others? Think deeply about what this would be and get started if you already haven't. Get rid of fear and reach for the highest height for which you are capable, one moment at a time. By doing so, you can impact your destiny.
One Moment in Time, Song by Whitney Houston (some lyrics)
Each day I live, I want to be, A day to give the best of me, I'm only one, But not alone, My finest day is yet
unknown.
I broke my heart, Fought every gain, To taste the sweet, I face the pain, I rise and fall, Yet through it all, This much remains.
Chorus
I want one moment in time
When I'm more than I thought I could be
When all of my dreams are a heartbeat away
And the answers are all up to me
Give me one moment in time
Where I'm racing with destiny
Then in that one moment of time
I will feel
I will feel eternity
You are a winner for a lifetime if you seize that one moment in time
Make it shine.
Repeat Chorus.
It is not too late to do something great. These lyrics (please look up the song and read the lyrics in its entirety) inspire hope and promise. You can maximize the time you have been given; you can endeavor to be the best you can be; you can achieve the greatness that God has designed for you.
Impact Your Destiny: "Make the rest of your life, the best of your life." Don't look in the mirror or at your birth certificate. It does not matter how old you are. Remember, God is the timekeeper. He knows the number of our days. Mark 13:32-33. Check your attitude. If that is right, you are ready. The past is gone, and none of us are getting it back. Start right this moment to shake up the dream, stir up the gifts and get moving. Dump excuses. Reach for that one thing that you always wanted to accomplish and go for it. "Make a new plan." Pray about it, then each moment do something that puts you in alignment with the plan. Remember, God wants you to succeed. "And who knows but that you may have come to your royal position for such a time as this." Esther 4:14. Please read the book of Esther, especially chapters 4 and 5. Esther's people (the Jews) were facing annihilation by the king. He did not even know that his wife was a member of the race he decreed to destroy. To make a long story short, she thought her beauty would carry the day. Much more was required of her, she would have to risk her life to save her people. At that crucial moment when she rose to the challenge and went in to speak to the King (without his permission and which could have brought about her demise), she fulfilled her destiny. God had allowed her a moment in time when she was greater than she thought she could be. Not only was she spared, but her people as well. Their immediate enemy, Haman who was behind the plot, who was in the king's ear, and who had offered to finance the plot to kill the Jews was hanged.
Don't Listen to Naysayers: "One Day or Day One, You decide. You will always find someone who is going to tell you why you cannot do something. Cut them off at the path. Tell them today, you are only hearing from those who believe that "all things are possible with God," even your plans. Remind them that it is not in your strength that you will attempt to realize your dream, but it is with trust in God and hard work and perseverance. Ask them how they can help. That should make them smile. I wonder what Pharaoh was thinking when God allowed Moses to part the Red Sea. Don't give up. Look up.
Follow a helpful routine. The secret of your success lies in your daily routines. I have not heard of anyone stumbling upon great success without any application of any kind. I am sure that there has to be someone for whom this is true. But, I think I can safely say, this is not going to be your story or mine. Practice discipline in every area of your life (mind, body and spirit) and stay focused. Do not be afraid to take a calculated risk (meaning you have done your homework). Keep your eyes on the prize and celebrate milestones. Give thanks in all things.
Have Confidence in Yourself: You can do it. I probably have shared this before, but I suffered from a lack of confidence in the past. Everyone else's resume always looked more impressive, and their experience more far reaching. Their education somehow greater. I would believe this whether I saw the other person's resume or not or whether I knew what school they attended. I was cured of this by simply accepting that what I was undertaking, I had attained the basic qualifications for through study and practice, and the rest was confidence. God gave me the confidence. God's will is that we love Him and others as we love ourselves, and I embraced that. To paraphrase Dr. Tony Evans, a renowned preacher and author, in his sermon titled "Your Time Is Now," you discover your time when you realize and understand that God is using you to be a blessing to someone else. I no longer compare myself to anyone else; I strive to increase my potential to be a greater blessing to others. Get what knowledge and/or information you need and go forward with the assurance that you can do it. That moment is awaiting you. Trust God that He is getting you ready for a moment such as this.
It would give me great joy to achieve more than I thought I could. It is not a selfish pursuit because the more I am blessed, the more I can bless others. You have to want to make a difference, to go for the gold standard, etc. I remember shopping in the store with my daughter and my two young grandchildren. My two-year old grandson Josiah hates to be locked in the stroller. But if you let him out, he will run around pulling things down off the shelves that are at his eye level. You know "old softie" AKA "Mama/Grandma" let him out for the second or third time. He took off and proceeded to do his usual. I said to Josiah without thinking and without realizing that my three year old granddaughter Journey was listening: "Why don't you ever learn?' Without skipping a beat, Journey commented: "Because he don't want to." This stopped me in my tracks, and I could not help but chuckle at how profoundly observant and timely her remarks were especially since she is a baby herself. It brought to mind the bible verse: "Out of the mouth of babies and sucklings hast thou ordained strength......." Psalm 8:2. The takeaway is that even a baby can share wisdom. It still stands, you are not going to go for that moment if you do not want to. (Ask Journey).
Don't wait for tomorrow. There are tasks that will bless someone today, and besides tomorrow may never be yours or mine. So, since we are here in this moment, make it count. Life goes faster than you think. Pray about it and then be about it! God bless you.
Yours, Yvette
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