“Once in a lifetime opportunities” can be wonderful, but they have a problem. If they live up to their name, they come only once in a lifetime. As soon as they are over, they are gone forever. Only memories remain.
A life is more than memories, though. Every day we live every-day lives. We do every-day things. Those every-day things may not seem as memorable, but they can tell more about us than a once-in-a-lifetime event. A single kind act is not the same as a lifestyle of kindness. A single gift is not the same as a lifestyle of giving. Fame can be achieved in a single event. Faithfulness is established only through a course of conduct.
Joshua was a faithful servant of God. From his youth he lived a life of service to God and His people. He could not be distracted by hardships in the wilderness or giants in the land of Canaan. He never hesitated in following God’s instructions to march around Jericho. When he challenged the Israelites to choose God he said, “As for me and my house, we will serve the Lord.” He didn’t have to say it. His choices in every-day life already testified more than words ever could.
See the Morning Sun Ascending was written by Charles Parkin. Parkin is not well known. He might be considered an every-day hymn writer. He wrote about an every-day event, the sun rise. He used every-day themes and every-day language. The result, though, is more than an every-day hymn. It is a hymn to sing every day. Enjoy the lines of the opening stanza.
See the morning sun ascending,
radiant in the eastern sky;
hear the angel voices blending
in their praise to God on high!
Alleluia! Alleluia!
Glory be to God on high!
Follow the path. Every day.
Follow the Path!
CARadke
[Use with Choosing Joshua, day 24 of A Labyrinth Pilgrimage]