Seize the day, carpe diem: What does it mean for our spiritual life?

Sure, scores of posters and inspirational quotes tell soul-searching individuals to “seize the day.” Yet can you honestly say that we seize each and every moment of every typical day?

[lz_ndn video=32228937]

“Make the most of every opportunity in these evil days,” says Ephesians 5:16 in the New Living Translation of the Bible.

Ephesians 5 continues: “Don’t act thoughtlessly, but understand what the Lord wants you to do.”

Therein lies a tricky question: What does the Lord want you to do? For everyone, the answer is different. Seasons of life change. Situations, circumstances, events do not go as planned. But through every joyful moment as well as in times of grief, the Word of God is clear.

Love God; love your friends and family, as well as strangers; and do not forget to shine a light on God’s truth to others.

Wise words from the ninth chapter of Proverbs tell us: “The fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom, and knowledge of the Holy One is understanding.”

In this wisdom and knowledge, Christians should strive to seek God and righteousness in each moment.

“Therefore do not worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will worry about itself,” Jesus tells His disciples, as recorded in Matthew 6:34 of the New International Version.

Who do you think would win the Presidency?

By completing the poll, you agree to receive emails from LifeZette, occasional offers from our partners and that you've read and agree to our privacy policy and legal statement.

Related: Understanding the True Gift of the Holy Spirit

“Each day has enough trouble of its own,” Jesus preached.

In the New Testament Book of James, the author tells Christ’s followers not to boast of tomorrow: “Why, you do not even know what will happen tomorrow,” James 4:14 says. “What is your life? You are a mist that appears for a little while and then vanishes.”

Related: How to Keep Your Kids from Self-Destructing

The present moment is current reality. In essence, the future does not exist.

On the flip side of the time spectrum, in the Old Testament the Lord tells us through the prophet Isaiah to “forget the former things.”

“Do not dwell on the past,” the Lord says in Isaiah 43:18-19. “See, I am doing a new thing! Now it springs up; do you not perceive it? I am making a way in the wilderness and streams in the wasteland.”

Open your eyes to the world right in front of you. Live without fear of the future. Learn from your past, apply it to your present circumstances as much as you can; but don’t dwell on what you cannot change.

Go on and embrace your day.