Bulletin Article 12.17.06 -- What Have You Done Today?

For well over five years now, reality television shows have dominated the major networks’ primetime lineups. Granted, there are plenty of money-driven, over-hyped, and immoral reality shows that have aired over the recent years. However, there are several which champion “noble” causes: “Extreme Makeover: Home Edition” seeks to improve the lives of those in dire circumstances; “The Biggest Loser” helps people help themselves as it relates to losing weight and becoming healthier individuals.

The latter of those shows features a very appropriate theme song, recorded by Heather Small. It asks the seemingly simple question (which is also its title), “What have you done today to make you feel proud?” The brilliance of the song lies in its scope of time: today. Want to be a better parent? What have you done today? Want to improve the lives of your family? What have you done today? Want to change your life? What have you done today? Want to please your Lord? What have you done today? Want to have the inner “peace that passes all understanding?” What have you done today?

Around 2000 years ago, Paul encouraged Christians along this same line of thinking. In his second letter to the church at Corinth, Paul quotes from Isaiah 49:8 where the prophet says, “In an acceptable time I have heard you, And in the day of salvation I have helped you.” Paul then adds, “Behold, now is the accepted time; behold, now is the day of salvation” (2 Cor. 6:2). The time for Corinth to obey was then. Jesus hadn’t come when Isaiah penned those words, but he had when Paul wrote to Corinth. They needed to come to Him today.

In Ephesians 5:15-16, Paul emphasizes our Christian walk relative to time: “See then that you walk circumspectly (completely), not as fools but as wise, redeeming the time, because the days are evil.” Redeem the time, or “make the most of your time.” Paul emphasizes that our lives (“walk” in Ephesians) are filled with choices for good or bad; we must make good choices during the time we know we are granted (the present). We must “turn in” the time we are granted for something; let’s make sure it’s for good.

Let’s briefly ask ourselves if we’ve done anything today (or this year) to make our Lord proud:

What have we done to serve others? The service aspect of Christianity cannot be over-emphasized. Sadly, it’s often under-emphasized. God will treat us as we’ve treated others. The greatest command is to love the Lord with all of our lives; the next one is to love our fellow man as we love ourselves (Matt. 22:36-40). Have we done anything to show that we love others as much as we love ourselves?

What have we done to forgive others? Notice Paul’s words in Ephesians 4:32, “And be kind to one another, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, even as God in Christ forgave you.” We have the charge to forgive others if they wrong us. Do they deserve it? Maybe not. But neither did we. Yet God still forgave our sins through Christ. If we fail to forgive others, we fail to see the grace God grants in our forgiveness. Jesus’ even says that the forgiveness of our sins depends on how we’ve forgiven others (Matt. 6:12, 14-15).

What have we done to include others? One of the negatives (if there are any negatives) to a family-centered congregation like Midway is that it can be difficult for newer members or visitors to feel included. Granted, we all need to do as much as we can to be active. However, those who are active also need to be reaching out as much as they can to encourage those who might feel on the outside. Our Lord’s brother—James—warns against favoritism in James 2:1-10. May we be careful and conscious to always include one another, and therefore encourage one another, along our Christian walks.

May God help us to do something today to make Him proud and help others.