Are You Ready, Today?

There are two days in every week about which we should not worry, which should be kept free from fear and apprehension. One day is yesterday, with its mistakes and cares, its faults and blunders, its aches and pains – yesterday has passed forever beyond our control. We cannot undo a single act we performed; we cannot erase a single word we said. Yesterday is gone. The other day we should not worry about is tomorrow with its possible adversaries and burdens. Tomorrow is always beyond our immediate control. Tomorrow’s sun will rise either in splendor or behind a mask of clouds, but it will rise (unless the Lord returns first). Until it does we have no stake in tomorrow for it is yet unborn. That leaves only one day, today, and any person can fight the battles of just one day. Let us do our best this day to live with and love one another, one day at a time.


When Abraham Lincoln was shot and killed in Ford’s Theater April 14th, 1865, he had no idea that night would be his last. Lincoln loved the theater and it was his common diversion for his stressful job. So he probably didn’t think much about what he carried in his pocket that night, but maybe we should. In the personal effects found on Abraham Lincoln that night: a small handkerchief, a pocketknife, a watch fob, glasses (one repaired with cotton string), a Confederate five-dollar bill, and a wallet with only some worn-out newspaper clippings in it. Most of the items were common enough but I want you to notice the newspaper clippings. One began, “Abe Lincoln is one of the greatest statesmen of all time.” The clippings were, even at the time of his death, so well-worn they were almost unreadable. They mostly extolled his presidency. Lincoln was probably the most vilified president in history by the media. In the midst of a Civil war, criticism was lobbed his way by enemy and ally alike. Those articles must have been a personal comfort he always carried with him to reminded him that some supported his efforts. “Therefore encourage one another and build each other up, just as in fact you are doing” (1 Thessalonians 5:11). It doesn’t matter if it’s the man in the highest office or the man in the lowest job; everyone wants to feel someone cares for them. Many people feel under-appreciated, unloved and ignored. The greatest gift we can give them isn’t an item but a sense of appreciation. You matter. You are important. Your work is not in vain. A kind word is something a person can always carry with them no matter where they go.


[Matthew 24:36-39]  While on a South Pole expedition, British explorer Sir Earnest Shackleton left a few men on Elephant Island, promising that he would return. Later, when he tried to go back, huge icebergs blocked the way. But suddenly, as if by chance, an avenue opened in the ice and Shackleton was able to get through. His men, ready and waiting, quickly scrambled aboard. No sooner had the ship cleared the island harbor, the ice once again crushed together behind them. Contemplating their narrow escape, the explorer said to his men, “It was fortunate you were all packed and ready to go.” They replied, “We never gave up hope. Whenever the sea was clear of ice, we rolled up our sleeping bags and reminded each other, ‘He may come today.’” In like manner, we do not know when the Lord shall return, only the Father knows (Matthew 24:36); but we had better be ready. The Lord may return today, tomorrow, next week, next year, or 1,000 years from now. The Lord has given us no date, only that His return will be like a thief in the night, without warning. Jesus said, “Therefore keep watch, because you do not know on what day your Lord will come” (Matthew 24:42-51). If the Lord were to come today, would you be ready? Is your love for Him packed and waiting, ready to go, today?