Clay in the Hands

This time of year is given to focusing on the opportunities ahead of us. January 1st brings 365 new possibilities each year. So it is natural for us – and healthy – to think about the future and what God is going to do in and through us in the coming year.

But today I want to encourage you not to focus so intently down the road that you miss the opportunity right in front of you. Hebrews 3:13 says, “But encourage one another daily, as long as it is called Today, so that none of you may be hardened by sin’s deceitfulness.”

The preacher of this sermon is telling his listeners that each of us have a responsibility to one another to offer encouragement. This encouragement is to be offered daily. And not just general encouragement but rather, very relevant and timely encouragement. He strongly emphasizes the timeliness of this encouragement by stating it should be offered “as long as it is called Today.” Do you hear the immediacy in this directive? While it is still THIS DAY, we are to offer encouragement.

It is so easy to put things off isn’t it? Here it is Monday as I write this. It would be so easy to look at the To Do list and say, “well that can be done tomorrow – and that can wait until Thursday.” That phone call to encourage a friend who just lost a loved one, or that email to a family member you haven’t talked to in a while – these are things that are easy to put off.

But today – make the most of this day – while it is still Today!

Who do you need to encourage TODAY?

Have a blessed Today as you bless someone else’s Today!