CHOOSE TO-DAY | AdventAI

Pacific Press Publishing Company · Oakland, California · Apr 1, 1903

FromSigns of the Times, Vol. 29, No. 13.

CHOOSE TO-DAY.

It is often said that most men live in the present. In one sense that is true; in another sense it would be nearer the truth to say that few men really live in the present, in any profound sense of the word “live” at all. The old man lives proverbially in the past, with its memories of the good, old times: the young man lives in the future, when the toils and hardships of the present have won for him means and leisure. We live in any day and every day but the day that is ours, the day that is passing,—to-day.

It is so hard to realize the infinite value of the present day. The past, which we think to be so fair as it lies in the golden light of memory, was once the present. Did we think it fair then? The future, whose rosy brilliance beckons us across the years, will one day be the present. Shall we think it so radiant then? No sane man would dream of despising the pleasures of memory or hope; but the present, with its clamant opportunities and its solemn responsibilities, ought to be as inspiring a force in our lives as the past with its memories or the future with its hopes. The present, which we think so commonplace, will, some day, be a past, which we shall probably think beautiful. Why should we not think it beautiful now? This day holds in its bosom the memories of the past and the hopes of the future. But it is greater than the future and the past, for we have it, but we have not them. We, then, who are alive this day, breathing God’s air, looking up to His heaven, have still the present in our hands, therefore, let us choose. It is to-day that is the accepted time—to-day, and no other day. Day by day God is pouring upon His thoughtless children His treasure of golden

hours. They will pass all too soon away—and then?

We are yet in the enjoyment of health and strength, and unclouded mental vision. Whether our brain will be clear to-morrow, and our power of resolution unimpaired, we do not know. Reverses come like a thief in the night. The indecision of to-day cripples the resolution of to-morrow. “It is always to-day with God,” said Origen,—but it is not always to-day with us. Therefore, while it is called to-day, let us harden not our hearts, but choose. If we refuse to enter now into the beautiful house in which Christ is longing to spread His table before us, there may come a time when the door will be shut.—Sunday School Times.