But whatever were gains to me I now consider loss for the sake of Christ.
What is more, I consider everything a loss because of the surpassing worth of knowing Christ Jesus my Lord, for whose sake I have lost all things.
I consider them garbage, that I may gain Christ and be found in him, not having a righteousness of my own that comes from the law, but that which is through faith in Christ—the righteousness that comes from God on the basis of faith.
I want to know Christ—yes, to know the power of his resurrection and participation in his sufferings, becoming like him in his death, and so, somehow, attaining to the resurrection from the dead.
Not that I have already obtained all this, or have already arrived at my goal, but I press on to take hold of that for which Christ Jesus took hold of me.
Brothers and sisters, I do not consider myself yet to have taken hold of it.
But one thing I do: Forgetting what is behind and straining toward what is ahead, I press on toward the goal to win the prize for which God has called me heavenward in Christ Jesus.
Philippians 3:7-14
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If you are reading this today, it can only mean one thing: God has given you another day.
Or maybe, perhaps, another year.
I think it is our tendency to forget this fact. We begin to expect that we deserve another day, another year, or simply just assume that life is obviously going to continue. But it is God who holds the power of life and death and breath. And if you are alive today, it is because He has gifted you another one.
When we overlook this spiritual reality, we open the door for unwise living. Because when we forget that God alone has gifted us another day, we are too quick to live life on our own terms, rather than His.
On the other hand, when we see each new day and each new year granted to us by Him alone, many of the Holy Spirit’s exhortations toward godly living begin to make logical sense:
Be very careful, then, how you live—not as unwise but as wise, making the most of every opportunity, because the days are evil. Therefore do not be foolish, but understand what the Lord’s will is. —Ephesians 5
As long as it is day, we must do the works of him who sent me. Night is coming, when no one can work. While I am in the world, I am the light of the world. —John 9
I eagerly expect and hope that I will in no way be ashamed, but will have sufficient courage so that now as always Christ will be exalted in my body, whether by life or by death. For to me, to live is Christ and to die is gain. If I am to go on living in the body, this will mean fruitful labor for me. —Philippians 1
So whether you eat or drink or whatever you do, do it all for the glory of God. —I Corinthians 10
Make no mistake. You are alive today for one reason: To bring glory to God through your faith and by the way you live your life.
If you are reading this today, you were not granted another day to live for yourself or by the patterns of this world. It is not yours. It is God’s and you were granted another day for the sole reason of living it for Him.
Do not neglect your opportunity. Do not neglect your responsibility.
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Prayer
Thank you Jesus for another day, another year, and another opportunity to serve you and live for you. Keep me both thankful and humble. And give me the strength and focus to serve you and your Kingdom with all that I am. Amen.