The school year has officially started back for most of our children, and as the father of six, I am always looking for ways to utilize everyday moments to guide my kids. In the past, one of these moments was my daily drive to drop my oldest two sons off at school. As someone who preaches and teaches for a living, I have always felt I should leverage my abilities in communication to bless my children. So every morning, often to their chagrin, I gave them the same speech, almost verbatim. It began with a question. I asked, “Sons, what day is it?” They knew the answer was not Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday, or Friday. Though they would try, they were fully aware I would not accept any of those answers. After the question “What day is it?” I launched into my morning motivation. It went like this.
“Sons, let me tell you what day it is! It’s opportunity day! That’s what day it is. And let me tell you why. There are over seven billion people in the world today, and God, in His infinite wisdom and sovereign control, could have chosen any of them to walk in your school. But He did not. He chose you. He chose you because somebody in your life today will be hurting. Somebody will be a victim of abuse and neglect. Somebody will have not eaten well since the lunch they had at school yesterday. One of your friends has a father who is an alcoholic or a mother who has abandoned them. Another friend has never slept in a real bed or known what it’s like to have clean clothes to put on every morning. One of your teachers may look like they have it together, but they’re hurting over a broken marriage. Another teacher may be discouraged by the difficulties of their job.
Sons, it’s opportunity day. You know why? Because you know the God of heaven. You have two loving parents who are happily married. You slept in a dry, warm bed last night and woke up in a nice house full of food. You wear clean clothes, and you get the best medical attention when you’re sick. You are told you are loved often, and you have never known a moment of abuse or neglect. You are intelligent, athletic, and well-liked by your friends. God could have chosen anyone He wanted to walk in your school today. But he didn’t. He chose you! That means you have an opportunity that has not existed until today. Today you are to go into your school and be kind to the hurting. Be encouraging to the discouraged. Defend the vulnerable. Be strong for the weak. Respect those in authority. And most of all, sons, honor the King. He’s given you today. He’s blessed you richly. Go seize today. You know why?
Because IT IS OPPORTUNITY DAY!”
When I finished, I required only four words of my sons before they were allowed to get out of my truck in the car line. I asked, “What day is it?” And they responded, “It is opportunity day.”
Our children need the reminder that how they walk through their days and interact with others matters. And listen to me. This isn’t just a concept our children need to grasp. We all need this reminder. The Apostle Paul wrote in Ephesians 5:15-16, “Look carefully then how you walk, not as unwise but as wise, making the best use of the time, because the days are evil.” Yesterday is gone. We cannot go back and change it. As far as the future is concerned, believers in Christ can rest assured that it is sealed. We will spend eternity with the Lord in a new heaven and a new earth. But none of us are guaranteed tomorrow. So, since yesterday’s gone and tomorrow is not guaranteed, that means, theologically and practically, all we have is today.
Today is your opportunity day. Will you live a life that purposefully blesses others and faithfully honors the King? Will you live a life worthy of the Lord? I hope you will.
He has given you today. He has blessed you richly. Go seize this day.
Want help praying for your children as they head to school this year? Download these verses and prayers from Living Worthy Ministries today.