Seize the day, seize whatever you can
‘Cause life slips away just like hourglass sand…Lyrics to “Seize the Day” by Carolyn Arends

Wait for the Lord ; be strong, and let your heart take courage; wait for the Lord !
Psalms 27:14 ESV

Seize! Wait! Although these two concepts may appear contradictory at first, in God’s kingdom, they are highly compatible. And both necessary.

When I take my kids to the pool, I keep my daughter from the deep end–not because I want to ruin her fun, but because I know she does not have the swimming skills required for staying afloat. So until she is a stronger swimmer, my daughter gets the most out of the shallow end. She seizes the moment while awaiting the future. And I love watching her do so. I love watching her seize the day of waiting.

Unfortunately, however, when it comes to our walk with the Lord, it seems often that when we have to wait for something, we begin the cycle of trying to figure out the why we have to wait and the how we could possibly stop the waiting. We look for shorter ways to get where we want to go. We mumble under our breath at those who appear to have found the fast track to what we deem as success. We spend all our time and energy trying to escape the wait.

Yet instead of spending our wait looking around at what other people are doing and trying to find a way to get to where we want to go, we really need to focus on where we are. We need to be in the moment. We must seize the wait.

Think about it. Who has God placed in your life right now? What is God teaching you right now? What responsibilities do you hold right now?

Sieze them! Minister to those currently in your circle of influence. Hold tightly to your Heavenly Father’s hand as you learn all you can. Do all you do knowing you work not for man but for God.

As you wait for God to illuminate the next step, fully explore the one you’re on. Take the time to pray, to read and to study God’s Word. Learn and do all you can while on this current step, because once you go to the next one, you cannot go back and redo this one.

No, I’m not saying to busy yourself with useless endeavors just to pass the time until God calls you to the next step. What I am saying is to look around you and take advantage of all the opportunities God has graciously provided for you right now. Is there someone you need to talk to you? Is there someone you need to spend time with? Are there lessons to be learned? Or maybe God is asking you to take advantage of the rest now available to you. Whatever it is God has been whispering in your ear during this season of waiting, I encourage you to seize it. Take it for all it’s worth. Make the most of it. Because soon enough today will become yesterday, and you won’t get another chance. So seize today.  Seize it. Seize whatever you can. Because life slips away just like hourglass sand. Seize the day.