by guest blogger Josh Matson
Carpe diem, quam minimum credula postero.
A quick Wikipedia consultation translates Horace’s famous quote to “Seize the day, put very little trust in tomorrow.”
I couldn’t agree more!
Now, I want to be very clear. Tomorrow does matter, but dismissing the present to chase what could be is an exercise in futility.
Tomorrow doesn’t come without first getting through today. What you do right now matters more than what you have done in the past and what you will do in the future.
Carpe diem, quam minimum credula postero.
A quick Wikipedia consultation translates Horace’s famous quote to “Seize the day, put very little trust in tomorrow.”
I couldn’t agree more!
Now, I want to be very clear. Tomorrow does matter, but dismissing the present to chase what could be is an exercise in futility.
Tomorrow doesn’t come without first getting through today. What you do right now matters more than what you have done in the past and what you will do in the future.
The apostle Paul says it best in Ephesians 5:15-16: “ So be careful how you live. Don’t live like fools, but like those who are wise. Make the most of every opportunity in these evil days” . . . as relevant today as it was in the first century.
I’m going to give you a life hack (side note: I despise the phrase ‘life hack’), let you in on an earth shattering secret. Okay, it’s not a secret and it certainly isn’t earth shattering, but it is advice to live by. Seizing the day can mend the past and secure the future. Let me say it again: seizing the day can mend the past and secure the future.
Turning back time
In the 1978 classic Superman, there is an unforgettable scene. Our caped protagonist is busy flying to and fro saving the planet from a string of unfortunate disasters. In an unforeseen turn of events, he finds the love of his life; Lois Lane, trapped, lifeless in her car under a pile of rubble. Needless to say, he was beside himself. He takes to the skies, reverses time and saves Lois from certain and (because he already experienced it) foreseen doom.
Superman, by way of a scream heard round the world, identified his missed opportunity. After turning back time, he reset his priorities and made sure his opportunity was seized.
Of course, Superman is fictional, and you and I don’t have the ability to turn back time. So, we are stuck with the unfortunate reality that once an opportunity has passed, it will never present itself again.
This is where the good news comes in; life is full of opportunities.
When one door closes, another door opens
Life is full of second chances. And leading a life of purpose requires that we not only recognize but act on the these second chances.
The apostle Paul in his magnum opus writes “And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose” (Romans 2:28). In other words, accept the call and your opportunities are limitless.
Now, don’t be confused. Not every opportunity you seek will work out, but the results of the opportunities that do work out will be beyond your wildest expectations.
I have had some major disappointments in my life. I have probably let more opportunities slip away than I have remaining hairs on my head. But when one opportunity faded, another evolved.
God has this supernatural ability to know what opportunities will work together for the good and, like a grand master chess player, is always fifteen moves ahead . Those opportunities come in many shapes and sizes. They are packaged in relationships, careers, investments, partnerships, etc., and all backed by a divine seal of approval. We can choose to either pursue or ignore what is presented. We can choose to go our own way or the way that has already been tested and approved.
The choice is yours. But historically and practically, I can tell you this: if you want to make the most of every opportunity, it is best to have the Master of all grand masters on your side.
So I leave you with this . . . don’t fret over the past, don’t put too much thought into the future. Seize the day, live in the here and now, and God will take care of the future.
I’m going to give you a life hack (side note: I despise the phrase ‘life hack’), let you in on an earth shattering secret. Okay, it’s not a secret and it certainly isn’t earth shattering, but it is advice to live by. Seizing the day can mend the past and secure the future. Let me say it again: seizing the day can mend the past and secure the future.
Turning back time
In the 1978 classic Superman, there is an unforgettable scene. Our caped protagonist is busy flying to and fro saving the planet from a string of unfortunate disasters. In an unforeseen turn of events, he finds the love of his life; Lois Lane, trapped, lifeless in her car under a pile of rubble. Needless to say, he was beside himself. He takes to the skies, reverses time and saves Lois from certain and (because he already experienced it) foreseen doom.
Superman, by way of a scream heard round the world, identified his missed opportunity. After turning back time, he reset his priorities and made sure his opportunity was seized.
Of course, Superman is fictional, and you and I don’t have the ability to turn back time. So, we are stuck with the unfortunate reality that once an opportunity has passed, it will never present itself again.
This is where the good news comes in; life is full of opportunities.
When one door closes, another door opens
Life is full of second chances. And leading a life of purpose requires that we not only recognize but act on the these second chances.
The apostle Paul in his magnum opus writes “And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose” (Romans 2:28). In other words, accept the call and your opportunities are limitless.
Now, don’t be confused. Not every opportunity you seek will work out, but the results of the opportunities that do work out will be beyond your wildest expectations.
I have had some major disappointments in my life. I have probably let more opportunities slip away than I have remaining hairs on my head. But when one opportunity faded, another evolved.
God has this supernatural ability to know what opportunities will work together for the good and, like a grand master chess player, is always fifteen moves ahead . Those opportunities come in many shapes and sizes. They are packaged in relationships, careers, investments, partnerships, etc., and all backed by a divine seal of approval. We can choose to either pursue or ignore what is presented. We can choose to go our own way or the way that has already been tested and approved.
The choice is yours. But historically and practically, I can tell you this: if you want to make the most of every opportunity, it is best to have the Master of all grand masters on your side.
So I leave you with this . . . don’t fret over the past, don’t put too much thought into the future. Seize the day, live in the here and now, and God will take care of the future.
 | About Josh Josh is an experienced business leader, public speaker, writer, and trainer. He has decades of experience in leadership development, performance management, and helping organizations grow. Most important, he’s a husband, father and an imperfect follower of Christ. Josh says his mission is to help YOU become a well-rounded, integrity led leader and follower of Christ. By grasping on to some simple principles, you can learn to lead with wisdom and integrity. You can find more about Josh and his ministries here: https://leadingwithintegrity.blog/ https://leadingwithpurposesite.wordpress.com http://www.upliftdesignnm.com |
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