Every morning when I take my 30-minute spin on the treadmill or outside in the fresh morning air, I like to spend it with the Lord. Sometimes those conversations selfishly focus on me but most of the time they are focused on the Lord and the beauty of the mountains that surround me. But the other day the words of my thanksgiving took on a new meaning.
Every morning, I begin my walk with the same verse:
Ps 118:24 This is the day that the Lord has made; let us rejoice and be glad in it. ESV
But during one of those walks the Lord pulled me up short when He asked me, “Why?” Well, I thought my answer was short and straight to the point: “Because.” You already know what He responded … “Because why?”
As I walked along and pondered that question my mind became filled with a multitude of “Becauses.” I became aware of just why I have reason to rejoice and be glad in the day He has given me as I recalled the message Jesus gave us:
Matt 6:34 “Therefore do not be anxious about tomorrow, for tomorrow will be anxious for itself. Sufficient for the day is its own trouble. ESV
We have been given a fresh 24 hours each day that He allows us to remain here on earth. When we spend any part of it on yesterday or tomorrow, we are squandering the day that He has made. What I learned during that morning was that there are many becauses in my life and He makes them fresh every day, and I well remember 3 of them:
- Because He has saved me from myself.
- Because He has filled me with His gospel and given me a voice to share it.
- Because He has blessed me with the gifts and abilities to bless others.
When I began writing the series Wake Up And Rest, there was a verse that really spoke to me and it speaks to the bride of Christ today.
Deut 30:19-20 I call heaven and earth to witness against you today, that I have set before you life and death, blessing and curse. Therefore, choose life, that you and your offspring may live, 20 loving the Lord your God, obeying his voice and holding fast to him, for he is your life and length of days, that you may dwell in the land that the Lord swore to your fathers, to Abraham, to Isaac, and to Jacob, to give them. ESV
The only requirement on our part to enjoy all those becauses is that we make a choice. Every day we can choose life and hold fast to Him because He is our life. Because the 24 hours He has given us are for a purpose … His purpose … Romans 8:29.
Let me challenge you to wake up tomorrow and let the first words that roll off your lips be Psalm 119:24. And then follow them by filling in the becauses in your life. It will not only draw closer to the Lord, it will begin your day with a whole new attitude and strengthen you to face the challenges the new day brings … Just Choose!
Be Glad! Why? Because!