Author Og Mandino wrote, “Beginning today, treat everyone you meet as if he or she were going to die by midnight. Extend to them all the care, kindness and understanding you can muster, and do so with no thought of any reward. Your life will never be the same again.” Hi, I’m Tom Ellsworth from Sherwood Oaks Christian Church with a minute message.
When life is reduced to the basics, we realize what truly matters. Much of what we hold to be so important simply fades from view; many of our actions seem a waste of energy. Mandino’s advice is wise but there is another equally effective approach to daily living. Consider how you would live differently today if you knew it was your final 24 hours. And suppose the people around you would only remember what you did on your last day, how might that change your behavior? Would you spend it lashing out in anger or reaching out with compassion? Would you pout or be positive? Would you criticize or encourage? Would you be self-centered or God-centered? I want to finish well in life, don’t you? So let’s live each day as though it is our last – helping others and honoring God!