Have you ever heard the saying, “You marry whom you date?” Have you ever known someone who wasn’t choosy about the type of person they dated, but claimed they planned to find a good Christian mate someday?
That doesn’t make much sense, does it? Eventually you’re going to marry one of the people you date. You can’t aim at a low target and hit one that’s high.
This nugget of wisdom applies to many aspects of life. I’m going to join a gym and get in shape; I’m going to start reading my Bible every day; I’m going to get involved in one of those “Light of Life” ministries at church… tomorrow.
But today, I keep on living life as I always have. I eat junk food and burn up hours glued to Netflix while my brand new sneakers sit in a box in the closet. I buy a new Bible and even get my name stamped on the front cover in gold letters, but rarely do I open it. I sign up to help with Celebrate Recovery or Carpenter Place, but week after week goes by and something always gets in the way of my showing up to volunteer.
Have you ever thought about what it does to your heart to tell yourself you’re going to be different tomorrow, and then continue to act in the same old way today? It’s a lot like what happens to your fingers when you play a guitar. At first they’re tender and sore, but after a while they become calloused. What used to cause pain becomes easy.
What am I telling myself when I say I’m going to do one thing tomorrow, but continue to do the opposite today? What does it say about the values I claim to have if I continually act in a way that isn’t consistent with them? (By the way, if you think I’m perfect at all of this, think again!)
Tomorrow I’m going to give at least 10% of my income to God, but today I need to pay off my house, boat, car, and student loans.
Tomorrow I’ll make a swear jar and put a dollar in it every time I let a bad word slip, and I’ll donate that money to missions.
Tomorrow I’m gonna let my little light shine all over the neighborhood.
“Tomorrow! Tomorrow! I love you, tomorrow! You’re always a day away.”
“Be very careful, then, how you live—not as unwise, but as wise, making the most of every opportunity.” (Eph. 5:15-16)