Today is the first day of the rest of your life
by Pastor Mark Lieschke
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Great are the works of the Lord; they are pondered by all who delight in them (Psalm 111:2).
We have a great amount of uncertainty about the length of our existence here on Earth, and we don’t know what lies ahead of us that we have to face before we die. But we do have the certainty of God’s grace right now.
No matter what the future holds for us, we can be confident that God will lead us into it, remain at our side as we experience it, and remind us over and over again that nothing will happen, and there’s nothing we can do that will ever make him stop loving us.
Or, as the psalmist said: the Lord is gracious and compassionate; he remembers his covenant; the works of his hands are faithful and just; all his precepts are trustworthy; they are steadfast forever and ever; holy and awesome is his name.
So even though we have uncertainty about how long we will live here, we can live each day as a brand-new opportunity to rejoice in what God has given us, to say thank you to him, and in response to his grace, offer service to those about us.
We can make plans and decisions for the future. We can look forward to many different experiences, good and bad, through which God can continue to teach us to trust in him, so he can mould and shape us into the kind of people he still wants us to become.
We can recommit ourselves to action. And we can pledge our support to the work of God’s church willingly and joyfully – even though it may cost us a great deal.
When God is in control, we can live every day as if it were our last, and we can live every day as if it were our first.
Today, and all the tomorrows that God may give us, can be a time of renewal and refreshment as he showers his love, forgiveness, mercy and peace all over us.
Lord God, thank you that in and through your Son Jesus Christ, we have hope and confidence about your presence, power and promises as we live here on this Earth. Renew us each day in our faith in you, and keep us active and joyful in our service so that we can share our joy in our relationship with you. In Jesus’ name. Amen.
Mark Lieschke is a retired pastor living on the Sunshine Coast, Queensland. He served in parishes in Adelaide, Palmerston North and Marton (both in New Zealand) and Wagga Wagga (school and congregation) before being elected as bishop of the New South Wales District of the LCANZ. He and his wife Meredith have four children (two of which live in Canada) and two grandchildren. Mark enjoys spending time with family and friends, travelling, walking on the beach and resting.
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