“Better is the end of a thing than the beginning thereof: and the patient in spirit is better than the proud in spirit.” Ecclesiastes 7:8 (KJV)
As I sat in church yesterday listening to Sylvester’s last sermon of 2008, he made the statement that the ending was better than the beginning. I began to think about this and started to wonder if this statement was true. I began to think of many things the year has brought to us and suddenly I realized that we had been blessed during this year. If I tried to list all my blessings, the list would be long. But as I sat there, he said that we cannot change what has happened during the year, but we can change the future. We can change ourselves today, at this very moment in our lives. And today’s change will impact our future. The choice is mine and mine alone.
The song One Day at a Time reminds us: ” yesterday’s gone and tomorrow may never be mine, so teach me to take one day at a time.” As I sat there I wondered what I had accomplished for God this year. Did I do my best for him? Did I do what he has asked me to do? If I did or did not, I cannot change the past. But I can do different today. I can change the present! I can begin today!
In The Christmas Carol, Scrooge saw the ghosts of Christmas past, present, and future. As he was shown the past, he wept. As he was shown the future of his current lifestyle, he was afraid. But as he saw the present, he realized that he could change.
Am I willing to change today and impact my future? Or am I going to simply wait and see what the future holds? I want to make today the best ever. Yes, I do know what has occurred over the past year, but I do not know what 2009 holds for me and my family. And that’s frightening because I can’t control it. I must put my faith and trust in the one who holds tomorrow!
Yes, the end is better than the beginning! The future looks even brighter as we get closer to the coming of the Lord. I want to make the most of today. I choose to serve Christ better today than yesterday. Yesterday is gone and tomorrow may never be mine, so today I chose to serve him.
Dear Father, the choices I have made during the past year may not have always been the best. I cannot make choices for tomorrow, because I do not know what tomorrow holds. I can only make a choice of my service to you today. May it be the best day ever! Thank you for your grace and forgiveness. In the name of Jesus I pray. AMEN
Be encouraged today as you serve Christ,
Bobbie Smith