One Day at a Time

For this commandment that I command you today is not too hard for you, neither is it far off. Deuteronomy 30:11

When I first found recovery, I looked at those with years of sobriety with envy. I had struggled – and failed –  repeatedly to stay clean for a just few days, so years seemed unattainable. Though it seemed like an impossible task, the shame of my addiction was so fresh that I found myself wishing desperately for years of sobriety.

I’ve never really liked many of the clever little phrases of alcoholics anonymous, but someone wisely gave me one at that time: One day at a time. God was not asking me to produce years of faith and recovery in one day. He was asking me to do what it took that day to turn from myself and follow Him. This is still what He asks of me. Do what I ask of you today.

 We often think of following God as some grand gesture that we will get to someday. Someday I’ll sell all that I have so I can be a missionary in the third world. For now, though, I’ll still follow myself.

 I sometimes make following God an impossible task and in doing so, I do nothing. God’s message in today’s passage though, is that following Him is not some impossible mission. What He asks of me, is to obey Him today. Reach out to your neighbor who is struggling. Have coffee with a friend who needs a friend. Love me and tell others what I have done for you.

This is not really optional if we claim to follow Him. If we call ourselves Christians and refuse His voice, then we deceive ourselves. We do not deceive God.

God always asks us to follow Him today. This is not too hard, and it is not far-off. We do not need to be a professional minister to obey. We just need to be willing to turn from whatever is distracting us from God and obey Him today. Then, we will do the same tomorrow.