Scripture
"But it came about that in the twenty-third year of King Jehoash the priests had not repaired the damages of the house. Then King Jehoash called for Jehoiada the priest, and for the other priests and said to them, "Why do you not repair the damages of the house? Now therefore take no ore money from your acquaintances, but paid it for the damages of the house." (2 Kings 12:6-7)
Observation
The priests were given specific instructions to repair the damages to the house of the Lord "wherever any damage may be found." (2 Kings 12:5). Yet, twenty-three years had passed and no a single hole was patched, nor were there any repairs performed to the house. What were the priests doing for twenty-three years? What was it that so preoccupied their time that it took so long? They were leaders, but they failed to lead. They were in positions of leadership, but without accomplishing their responsibilities, they failed in their roles.
Application
Our lives can be lived the same as the priests. Whether it applies to our marriages and families, or ministry, are we accomplishing what we are responsible to do? We may find ourselves cast in the role of being a father or mother, but are we doing what responsible fathers and mothers do for their families? We may have stood at the altar of marriage as a husband and wife, but are we fulfilling our duties of faithfulness, love and support to one another, or simply floating along the currents of life.
Whatever role we play, to fulfill our responsibilities, there are certain principles we must learn to live by:
Live by Choice, Not Chance;
Live Intentionally, not apathetically;
Focused, not distracted;
Each day comes with a choice as to how we will live out that day. Whether we set goals for the day, "to do" or checklists, there must be a means by which we can assess our progress for the day. And each day then becomes a stepping-stone along life's journey and provides intentionality in the way which we live, to keep us focused, not distracted, involved, not apathetic.
There is just one life that I get to live, for my wife, for my family, for the Lord and I must choose to make each day worth living. It will start with the choices I make, what I choose to accomplish. Life is too precious to allow twenty-three years to pass by without any progress being made. I choose to live by choice, not by chance. Each day I will set out 5 things that I need to accomplish that I might be faithful to what the Lord has given me.
Prayer
Thank you, Jesus, for the gift of a new day. I don't want to squander Your precious gift, but to steward my time today. Enlighten the eyes of my heart that I might see what You would want me to accomplish today, for my family, my marriage, for the ministry, then give me the wisdom, discernment and courage to finish Your assignment, not tomorrow, but TODAY.
