Three weeks ago tonight, my husband came home from work not feeling well. He was fatigued, aching all over, and feverish. He had a red patch on his side.The urgent care doctor confirmed my suspicions: cellulitis. They gave him an IV dose of antibiotics and a prescription. He was supposed to go back the next day for a final dose of IV antibiotics, but a mere twelve hours later, he had taken a turn for the worse. The area on his side had tripled in size, and he was running a fever of over 103 degrees; he was almost unresponsive.
He was hospitalized for five days. The doctors were baffled at the severity of the infection. Initially, he wasn't responding to treatment. The infection spread for another two days until they tried a different combination of antibiotics. When they sent him home, he continued with his IV infusions for another eleven days.
After he had been home for a few days, he came to a stunning realization: this infection was serious, it was life-threatening, and it could have taken his life.
But, it didn't. That was my response to him. It didn't.
So, what does that mean? What does that really mean to all of us that wake up each day with new opportunities. None of us are guaranteed a tomorrow. So, in light of this truth, how will you spend your todays? Some days I fall so miserably short of the mark. Some days I am selfish and do not put others before myself. Some days I speak harsh words instead of kind. Some days I behave like I am not His, like my life hasn't already been purchased with a sacrifice so complete that it demands my everything.
I once read that we need to own our minutes and days, lest they turn into months and years and we didn't even realize it. It is so easy to get caught up with our day-to-day commitments. But, in the day-to-day, I want to live out this one life, the only one I get on this earth, with purpose.
This was the main scripture for today's sermon:
1 Peter 4:7-11
The end of all things is near. Therefore be alert and of sober mind so that you may pray. Above all, love each other deeply, because love covers over a multitude of sins. Offer hospitality to one another without grumbling. Each of you should use whatever gift you have received to serve others, as faithful stewards of God’s grace in its various forms. If anyone speaks, they should do so as one who speaks the very words of God. If anyone serves, they should do so with the strength God provides, so that in all things God may be praised through Jesus Christ. To him be the glory and the power for ever and ever. Amen.