Carpe Diem is a cliche that has been around for quite a while. Some people have taken it so far as to adopt it as their lifestyle. Usually, someone with this mentality uses it to encourage a life that is all about self. Doing what you want to do, when and how you want to do it. Your number one concern is living your life exactly how you want it. Life is too short to do it any other way.
But what if we took this idea and applied it to servanthood? The other day while I was running I was listening to a sermon that encouraged people to "go until they here a no," in regards to serving God. For so many of us, it's hard to know exactly where God is trying to lead us in our life. We get so wrapped up in trying to look for that one area, that one ministry, that we just KNOW God has set out for us, that we may miss ways we can serve everyday.
Matthew 28:19-20 tells us "Therefore go and make disciples of all the nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, Son and the Holy Spirit, and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you. And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age." The Great Commission. To all of us. In all circumstances. It doesn't matter whether we are preaching, leading youth, cleaning bathrooms, or mothering our children, we are to do it with the great commission in mind.
Carpe Diem is Latin and literally means, "to pluck the day." If we could wake up each day and say, "Ok God, I don't know what you've got planned for me, but today I'm going to look with your eyes and show your love to the world." God will do great things with you if you are willing, but what are you doing in the meantime? We as believers need to seize the day and take over this world for Jesus Christ. Refocus our "anything goes as long as it will benefit me" mentality to anything goes as long as it benefits the KINGDOM" mentality.
So go, wholeheartedly, serve the world for Jesus with reckless abandon and watch what God will do with your life and your service. I promise, it will be amazing.
I've always used the phrase carpe diem but never made the connection to using it to serve and obey the Lord. Thank you for this post and reminding us that we may not know what the day holds, but He will guide and encourage us. And Matthew 28 is something that is drilled into my heart...make disciples, go out, tell people, share the word....
ReplyDeleteThanks Ruthie! I wrote my first devotional over Matthew 28, so it will always have a special place in my heart, seriously good stuff :)
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