While it is Day

“Jesus said to them, ‘My food is to do the will of him who sent me and to accomplish his work.'”

“As he passed by, he saw a man blind from birth. And his disciples asked him, ‘Rabbi, who sinned, this man or his parents, that he was born blind?’  Jesus answered, ‘It was not that this man sinned, or his parents, but that the works of God might be displayed in him. We must work the works of him who sent me while it is day; night is coming, when no one can work. As long as I am in the world, I am the light of the world.’” John 4:34; 9:1-5

Jesus was about many things during His three year public ministry, and He fulfilled every plan and intention in His allotted time. He turned antagonism into fruitfulness by addressing what was true, then getting about the significance of the situation. As long as He was light here on earth, He would do God’s work and illuminate His eternal purposes to His praise. And when all was accomplished, He would walk willingly, decisively, toward His crowning achievement on the Cross. In His last hour, He closed that day in perfect, triumphant darkness. (Luke 23:44-45)

What about us? Do we drift from day to day, thinking and fussing and busying no further than our calendars and whim? Darkness will one day swallow our days here on earth. While it is day, would we work the works of Him who sent us here and numbered our breaths? (Psalm 139:16)

“So teach us to number our days
    that we may get a heart of wisdom.” Psalm 90:12

“Look carefully then how you walk, not as unwise but as wise, making the best use of the time, because the days are evil.” Ephesians 5:15-16

When many things in the world press as urgent, would I pause to ask what is urgent to my Lord? What is the work He would have me accomplish this day? Does it require setting aside my own agenda, or my desires? Am I willing to please Him, no matter the cost, by shining gospel light as long as I have opportunity? In whose lives , and how, am I invested, and are there new frontiers the Lord has prepared for me? In what ways would He have me reorder my time to make a difference for others? (Matthew 5:16; Hebrews 3:13)

“Awake, my soul, and with the sun 
thy daily stage of duty run;
shake off dull sloth, and early rise
to pay thy morning sacrifice.

Direct, control, suggest, this day,
all I design or do or say,
that all my pow’rs, with all their might,
in Thy sole glory may unite.” ~Thomas Ken (1695)

“Work while it is today!
This was our Saviour’s rule;
With willing minds let us obey,
As learners in His school.

Lord, Christ, we humbly ask
Of Thee the power and will,
With fear and meekness, every task,
Of duty to fulfill.

At home, by word and deed,
Adorn redeeming grace;
And sow abroad the precious seed
Of truth in every place.” ~James Montgomery (1771-1854)

Lord God, keep me awake, and ready for all You have for me, walking and working in wisdom in the length and light of Your day. May my food be Your will, and Your glory my highest goal. (Colossians 4:5; 1 Thessalonians 5:5-6)