Life is short, so make the most of every opportunity. Apply God’s wisdom to every moment of your day.
Hi, I’m Joni Eareckson Tada with a little history lesson.
The historian David McCullough tells a wonderful story about the American painter John Singer Sargent, who was the foremost portrait artist of his time. In 1903, Sargent was commissioned to paint the official portrait of President Theodore Roosevelt. Sargent spent several days at the White House sizing up the surroundings and, above all, trying to get a word in with the energetic young President. He was totally frustrated by Theodore Roosevelt’s busy schedule and his unwillingness to carve out a suitable and reasonable time to sit for his portrait. Day after day, John Singer Sargent tried to pin down the President as to when Roosevelt would be sitting for him, when they could do the portrait session. McCullough relates what happened next. He writes that one morning the two met unexpectedly as Roosevelt was bounding down the stairway.
And he says, “‘When might there be a convenient time for the president to pose for the portrait?’” Sargent asked. It looked as though the two were about to knock heads when the president said, “Now!” So, there he is in the painting, standing at the foot of the stairs, his hand on the newel post. It’s a great portrait, capturing more of the subtleties of the Roosevelt personality than any ever done of him. And it is a good story. President Roosevelt seemed to be telling the painter that moments come, moments go, and here is the time, so seize it and do not delay, do your best, do it now. And, oh, do I resonate with that. Life has so many pressing demands, and you could fritter away precious moments just waiting and hoping for the right moment. But time seems to tell the believer in Jesus, do not wait for all the stars to align, as it were. Do your best and do it now. Here’s the opportunity. Do not miss it but seize the moment. Seize the day!
One reason this sort of outlook energizes me is because I feel that life is getting so short for us all. It’s as though God has pressed the fast-forward button on time and things, and people and friendships and opportunities keep slipping through our fingers like sand. Our days are little bits of precious vapor life. But Ephesians tells us to make the most of every opportunity, not just those that fit into our Outlook calendar. And Psalm 90 tells us to number our days – count them as precious, as important – and before the sun sets on that day, apply God’s wisdom to it. Hours and moments, days and weeks, all of them are gifts from God’s hand. So, let’s not wait for someone else to take the first step. Whether asking for forgiveness, offering encouragement, sharing the Good News, reconciling with another, praying for or giving toward some pressing need.
We can all use a little bit of Teddy Roosevelt’s take on things, right? Do it now. Do your best. Seize the moment. And I think you’d agree: the world is getting darker and more dangerous, and a casual, ho-hum approach or even a mediocre, average way of looking at life just won’t do anymore. So be bold; give that encouraging word now; tell the Good News to your neighbor or co-worker. And oh, oh, if you would like to see – by the way – that famous portrait of President Roosevelt rendered by John Singer Sargent, the one of him standing with his hand on the stairwell, I have posted it today at joniradio.org. Again, that’s joniradio.org. And so, friend, today, do your best, and do it now. Here is your opportunity – go out and seize the day! God bless you, and thanks for listening!
© Joni and Friends