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By Emmy McKirgan

As the Roman poet Horace once said, “Carpe diem quam minimum credula postero!” or as commonly translated, “Seize the day, trusting as little as possible in the next one!” 

I’m sure we’ve all watched Dead Poet’s Society or read the book. The central theme and the whole book (movie) highlights this notion of “carpe diem, seize the day. ” Both were powerful in showing the human spirit and taking care of each other – and what happens when we don’t, when life is fraught with difficulty, and we succumb to the pain. 

The question is: Do you seize the day? You woke up today. Do you realize the blessing of that? Do you understand that life is a gift? Do you stop and ponder the finite nature of man and the infinite galaxy in comparison.

The following scripture addresses this very issue. “When I look at your heavens, the work of your fingers, the moon and the stars, which you have set in place, what is man that you are mindful of him, and the son of man that you care for him?” (Psalm 8:3–4, ESV). Who are we to balk at God? Why do you think we are above reproach. He created the heavens and the earth – and yet this text shows His awesome goodness – that this infinite God is mindful of us! That he constantly takes care of us. Like the birds of the air and the lilies of the field. 

Why is there suffering? 

We have terrible trials and tribulations in this life and wonder how: “Can God be a Good God”? But we fail to realize he didn’t say he would shield us from all the hard stuff of life. The Bible speaks of the opposite. “In this world, you will have trouble, but take heart I have overcome the world. ” He is not the author of the distressing things. We have free will, and we live in a fallen world. 

However, He does promise us: “I will never leave you nor forsake you. ” We may be abandoned by a loved one, a parent, a spouse, but the verse continues to say that even if these people, e.g., “a mother,” leaves – He never will. 

Can you live your life in the moment, knowing that God is here with you? Regardless of your circumstances, He is walking alongside you. One of my favorite poems is “Footprints in the Sand.” Like many of us, the author questions where God has been along the journey? To which God replies: in the most challenging times, that’s when He carries us. That’s why there was only one set of footprints in the darkest valleys of despair and turmoil. In our most profound anguish and pain.

It is easy to write about this, but it’s harder to walk it out. To trust and believe. Often I cry out to God! Why me? Why my family? Why so and so? Why disease, heartache, pain, and suffering. I am not immune to this – and yet as the psalmist says, “Though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death I will fear no evil, for thou art with me. Your rod and staff comfort me.” 

The present is all we have – not yesterday and not tomorrow! 

Sit and ponder the dichotomy of the vulnerability of life and the gift of being alive. So live your best life TODAY!