“It ought to be the business every day to prepare for the final day.”
Matthew Henry
Someone once said, “Success is for a man to be ready for his day when it comes.” Although failing often, all of my adult life I have tried to live each day as if planning for the day God places me in a sink or swim, go big or go home, do or die scenario. In the McMinnville High School weight room there is a quote on the wall that compliments our quote for today. It says, “The big game of next week, next month, or next year is being won right here, right now.”
“It ought to be the business everyday to prepare for the final day.”
In his book, The Seven Habits of Highly Effective People Stephen Covey lists “See the end at the beginning” at the top of his list. Henry Cloud in his book, Nine Things You Must Simply Do tells us to “Play the movie!” In other words, as men we must look at our habits, rhythms, and routines asking ourselves the question, “If I continue on the path I have mapped out for today what will my wife, kids, career, life, and relationship with God look like down the road?” Many marriages would be redeemed and children saved if men would only play the movie before they choose to live the movie.
The Bible tells us that, “He [God] has also set eternity in the hearts of men." (Ecclesiastes 3:11) When man was made in the Imago of Dei, or image of God, he was given a wonderful gift that separates all of mankind from every other living form-a living soul. With a soul man can discern moral absolutes, determine his eternal destiny, and decide on more of life than the primary needs of survival.
When we read the parable of the talents found in Matthew 25:14-28 we learn about two men who knew their master’s heart and invested accordingly, but the third buried his talent in the sand. Instead of hearing “Well done my good and faithful servant" (23) he was condemned with “You wicked, lazy servant!" (26)
So what will it be? Will you play the movie of your life based on what you are doing today? Will you see the end of your life now? Will you prepare every day as it were your last?
Will you live today to the fullest extent? (John 10:10)
Will you make it your business every day to prepare for the final day?
