Ephesians 5:15,16 “Be very careful, then, how you live… making the most of every opportunity.”
I always remember a friend who died over Christmas time. Two days before that he was fine, then he slipped into a coma and then he was gone. Another friend is right on the edge after multiple surgeries. I hope he makes it, but only time will tell. For the former, it was very sudden; for the latter, he has been able to ‘get his house in order’. He’s experienced the truth of what Samuel Johnson wrote in 1777: “When a man knows he is to be hanged in a fortnight, it concentrates his mind wonderfully.”
Orville Kelly received the dreaded news one day that he had a very progressive cancer. He was given two years to live at best. He returned home from the hospital with his wife and they cried their eyes out. They prayed about whether to tell people or not, and then felt that they should have a party. They invited all the people they cared most about, and had a huge celebration. The guests didn’t know the reason for the party until Orville stood up to make a speech during the festivities.
He said: “You may have wondered why I called you all together. Well, this is a cancer party! I have been told I have terminal cancer. Then my wife and I realised we are all terminal. So we’ve decided to start a new organisation. It’s called MTC – Make Today Count. You are all charter members.” MTC as an organisation grew dramatically, and Orville, with a whole new appreciation for each day of the rest of his life, sped around the country telling people to make the most of what limited time they had.
How will we make today count? Is there any unfinished business, anything that needs saying to someone, a relationship that needs addressing, forgiveness that needs to be offered or received, a risk that needs to be taken? Go for it!
Lord, I choose to make today count, for your glory. Amen!
Micah* is 6-years-old and lives on the streets of Burundi. No child should have to live like this. With New Generation, and all our partners in Burundi, we are bringing hope to people like Micah – of all ages, classes and backgrounds, who desperately need hope this Christmas. If you’d like to support us, please consider supporting our work with a regular or a one-off gift. Thank you, and Happy New Year!
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