“And now I have a word for you who brashly announce, “Today—at the latest, tomorrow—we’re off to such and such a city for the year. We’re going to start a business and make a lot of money.” You don’t know the first thing about tomorrow. You’re nothing but a wisp of fog, catching a brief bit of sun before disappearing. Instead, make it a habit to say, “If the Master wills it and we’re still alive, we’ll do this or that.” (John 14:15-17 NKJV)
Here is another splendid inspiration, actually one of those inspirational sayings found on a Splenda sugar substitute package. The sayings on these packets give me a thought, as you might have noticed by now, every once and a while. The one I pulled out to open this morning said, “Life is short, make it sweet.” The way I took it was not to spruce up the way I dress today so that someone would pay a compliment by saying, “Sweet.” I did not take the saying on the yellow packet of sweetener to mean to merely put forth an effort to be unusually nice to people all day long, so nice that many would say, “That’s so sweet.” I did not take it to mean that when I go to the store today that I should look for someone in need and help them carry their heavy load and I did not think it meant to simply pay for the stranger’s order behind me in the drive thru like someone did for me recently. Both of the latter would be “sweet” things to do as I would be making life sweet for others. The thought in my mind was not to act out of character and try to make my yard the best-looking yard in the neighborhood or to polish the wheels on the family car until someone utter the word “sweet” in their admiration of the wheels.
There are a multitude of ways, knowing life is really short like a vapor, where I can make it sweet, if the Master wills and I am still alive. But how do I focus on making life sweet when I have to face a tough, terrible, or trial-filled day or if I have to go through one of those “through it all” days? How can I make life sweet when my problems have me sweating and my challenges have me seemingly corralled, contained, unable to move. How can I make it sweet when old age keeps wrestling with me and unveiling new ways to make life a challenge?
The answer for me to all those questions came in a song that reinforced that I need to depend on Jesus Christ each and every day, regardless of my circumstances, challenges, or conditions that try to prevail. This song helped me make know how to make my days sweet. Now, I know what you are saying. “He sure has been referring to old hymns lately.” That’s true. Yet these old hymns are still fresh because of the truth they contain will make our faith anew. With faith anew, we can make each day better, sweeter. So here is an excerpt from the hymn, the song written by A. Jackson that helped me derive a God-conscious meaning from the saying on the sugar substitute packet. It’s a short excerpt, but it helped me zero in on a remedy for making life sweet for me and others. I’ll share a few words with you from “He’s Sweet I Know.” Perhaps they will lift your spirit today too.
He’s sweet, I know. He’s sweet, I know. Storm clouds may rise, strong winds may blow. I’ll tell the world wherever I go, that I’ve found a Savior, and He’s sweet, I know.
I can’t forget when I was sad. Head hanging down, soul feeling bad.
All I could say was, Lord, take my heart. Jesus heard and saved me, and gave me a start.
I have my ticket here in my hand. I’m going to that beautiful land. Sometimes I weep and sometimes I moan. But I’m bound for glory, and I’m going on.
I hope you are motivated and encourage this morning. Life is short. So, make the most of the time that the Lord blesses you with, knowing that you have a Savior who will see you through. Keep your mind on Jesus and you will do fine. Sweet! Be blessed!
“Make the most of every opportunity in these evil days.” (Ephesians 5:16 New Living Translation)
Still committed to the climb,
Mark L. King