Today for Tomorrow

Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ! According to his great mercy, he has caused us to be born again to a living hope through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead, to an inheritance that is imperishable, undefiled, and unfading, kept in heaven for you, who by God's power are being guarded through faith for a salvation ready to be revealed in the last time. In this you rejoice, though now for a little while, if necessary, you have been grieved by various trials, so that the tested genuineness of your faith—more precious than gold that perishes though it is tested by fire—may be found to result in praise and glory and honor at the revelation of Jesus Christ. (1 Peter 1:3-7 ESV). The following golf joke raises a critical question each of us needs to answer. The golfer was new to the game. When his ball landed on an anthill, he took careful aim, swung hard, and missed the ball completely. Instead of hitting the ball, he destroyed half of the anthill. Enraged at the miss, the golfer swung even harder a second time. He destroyed the other half of the anthill as the golf ball went straight up in the air several feet and came down in the same spot. Two ants crawled dizzily from the remains and looked around. One of them saw the novice golfer preparing to swing again and said, "Uh oh! If we want to survive, we'd better get on the ball!" Do you need to get on the ball? The last quarter of the year will soon begin. Not long ago you were thinking about how to make 2012 better than 2011. Soon, 75% of this year will be gone. How are you doing with your New Year's resolutions or other plans for 2012? Have they been forgotten? It's amazing how we intend to improve our lives or solve a particular problem. The answer usually comes back “someday.” But the weeks, months and years speed by, and no changes are made. Norman Vincent Peale pointed out a key reason when he said we wait too long to begin life. You may be thinking, "I'm so busy, and time just flies by!" That's true. But since time flies, it's up to you to be the navigator. You see, wasting time is really wasting a life. That's a tragedy. Before any more of 2003 becomes history, stop wasting time. Plan specific things you can do that will be positive for yourself and for others in various aspects of your life. Don't stop with planning. Begin DOING something to improve each area of your life regularly. You see, a good reason for doing the right thing today is tomorrow. For a better tomorrow, be diligent at navigating your life today. Those ants had the right idea; it's time to get on the ball!