Today I witnessed the changing of the guard, this age-old, unchanging event which takes place twice every day. It happens without fanfare, without pomp and pageantry, without the applause or the cause of men. But it happens nonetheless, and it is both magical and magnificent in its magnitude, mysterious in its solemn solitude and majestic in its quiet beauty. I had a ringside seat to this spectacle, with a perfect view and it didn’t cost me a penny. It was free, one of God’s many good gifts to me each day.

By now, you probably realize I am not referring to the changing of the guard at Buckingham Palace. To attend this changing of the guard this morning, I did not have to travel across an ocean. I needed only to walk out my front door and began my morning walk. The changing of the guard was already in progress.

The sky was brightening and the once luminous moon was now pale, fading fast while sinking slowly in the western sky. Simultaneously, in the east, the sun was just visible on the horizon, seeming to hover there as if waiting for the moon to fully recede so that she could take her rightful place in the daytime sky alone, without having to share her space with the moon. This is the daily changing of the guard, which I don’t always witness even though it is free and I do have a permanent invitation to behold this spectacle any time I choose to attend.

This morning I attended this changing of the guard as I walked in the stillness of the early morning, watching the changeover take place with grace and precision. For a time, they shared the sky as I walked, the sun and the moon, one rising as the other faded faster than it fell, so that I never saw it actually exit over the horizon. But this early morning changing of the guard reminded me of God’s constant watchcare over me, over all of us, over His creation, fallen as it is. This God ordained changing of the guard has been taking place since the beginning of creation.

“God made two great lights – the greater light to govern the day and the lesser light to govern the night. He also made the stars. God set them in the expanse of the sky to give light on the earth, to govern the day and the night, and to separate light from darkness. And God saw that it was good. And there was evening, and there was morning – the fourth day.” (Genesis 1:16-19)

In the evening, this changing of the guard takes place again with the sun setting, ceding her sovereignty of the sky to the moon, who inevitably takes her place in the sky as darkness descends. But the sun does not exit quietly by any means. Her sunsets are the stuff of legend. With the sky as her unlimited canvas, the sun leaves glowing streaks of everchanging colors, even incorporating any unsuspecting clouds into her work of art, until she departs in a ball of fire, in her final moments setting all the earth aglow while photographers and artists attempt to capture her disappearing work and poets write about her sunsets long after they have ceased to be.

Perhaps she does this because she is jealous of the moon and wishes to distract us from the moon’s quiet appearance in the darkening night sky, accompanied by a host of stars. When the sun does finally sink below the horizon, after putting on such a spectacular show, I am often surprised to turn and find the moon quietly ascending to her post without fanfare or fuss. Perhaps she is resigned to her position as the “lesser light.” Truly, her entrances and exits are far less dramatic than the blindingly beautiful sunrises and sunsets with which the sun announces to us all her daily comings and goings, her exotic arrivals and her fantastic farewells.

Still, I have to admit that there are many times I miss entirely this twice daily changing of the guard. That’s a shame because it’s free and wherever I am it is available to me. I just have to step outside and look up to be instantly inspired, encouraged and comforted – to be reminded of God’s constant presence abiding with His creation and of His sovereignty over it all. God is faithful. The sun rises every morning heralding a new day, a fresh start, another opportunity to know God and experience His love.

However, there are days I am unable to witness this changing of God’s guard because the sky is full of clouds or rain. So I do not see the sun rise and take her rightful place in the sky to watch over the day. But the sun rises even when I am not able to see her do so. Her light is blocked by dark clouds which cover the sky above me, preventing me from seeing the sun and feeling her warmth. But the sun is there, whether I see her with my eyes or not.

That is where faith enters in. On those days when I do not witness God’s changing of the guard, I can know that it still takes place. My Heavenly Father is still watching over me and over all of His children and all of His creation, even on the darkest of my days and nights. He does not leave me unguarded by day or by night. His light to the world is constant – the guardians even share the sky as they change places, ensuring we are never left alone.

I am reminded of Moses’s words to Joshua which are still true today –

“The Lord Himself goes before you and will be with you; He will never leave you nor forsake you. Do not be afraid; do not be discouraged.” (Deuteronomy 31:8)

Yes, the sun rises every morning whether I see it or feel it or not. God is constant, I can count on Him.

“If we are faithless, He will remain faithful, for He cannot disown Himself.” (2 Timothy 2:13)

This morning I was reminded of God’s faithfulness to me as He gifted me with yet another new day – a day unspoiled, full of promise, potential and untold opportunity to experience His presence with me as I walked with Him into the unknown of what this day will bring. Only He knows what that will be. And that is enough for me. I am just thankful for the gift of being witness to the changing of God’s guard on this beautiful fall morning.

“This is the day the Lord has made; I will rejoice and be glad in it.” (Psalm 118:24)

“The Lord will keep you from all harm – He will watch over your life; the Lord will watch over your coming and going both now and forevermore.” (Psalm 121:7-8)

every sunrise/moonset and sunset/moonrise reminds me that this is so –

sincerely, Grace Day

“All the days ordained for me were written in Your book before one of them came to be.” (Psalm 139:16)

Life – given and sustained by my Heavenly Father. Earthly days – the currency of that life – moments, minutes, hours, days, weeks, months that turn into years, years that turn into a lifetime in the blink of an eye – each and every day a gift from the Giver of all good gifts.

“This is the day the Lord has made; let us rejoice and be glad in it.” (Psalm 118:24)

So how am I spending my God-given days? What am I doing with the mundane moments of my God given life? Am I recognizing the miraculous potential contained within each mundane moment of my oh so ordinary days? If these days are the currency that has been entrusted specifically and uniquely to me, I had better be spending them wisely. I will make Moses’s prayer in Psalm 90 my own –

“Teach me to number my days aright, that I may gain a heart of wisdom.” (Psalm 90:12)

As I think about “numbering my days”, including the moments and the hours of which my days consist, the words of a favorite hymn come to mind –

“Take my moments and my days, let them flow in ceaseless praise”

That seems a worthy way to spend my time – praising God. All of creation does this continuously –

“The heavens declare the glory of God; the skies proclaim the work of His hands. Day after day they pour forth speech; night after night they display knowledge. There is no speech or language where their voice is not heard. Their voice goes out into all the earth, their words to the ends of the world.” (Psalm 19:1-4)

However, I feel like one of the servants in the story Jesus told His disciples about the talents. (talents were a measure of money or currency at that time) The owner was going away on a trip for an unspecified length of time. He entrusted each servant with money to manage on the owner’s behalf in his absence. One servant received five talents, another servant two talents and a third servant received one talent. No one knew when the owner would return. It was up to them to use what they had been given as productively as they possibly could in the owner’s absence.

Like the servants in this story, I don’t know when “the number of my days” will come to an end or when my Savior will return. I don’t know which will happen first, but either way, when either of those things does take place, my opportunity for making good use of the days I have been given will come to an end. I will be asked – “How did you spend them? How did you spend the “number of your days” that God graciously granted to you?”

How am I spending them now? Ephesians has some good advice for me on this subject.

“Be very careful, then, how you live – not as unwise but as wise, making the most of every opportunity, because the days are evil. Therefore do not be foolish, but understand what the Lord’s will is. Do not get drunk . . . Instead, be filled with the Spirit. Speak to one another with psalms, hymns and spiritual songs. Sing and make music in your heart to the Lord, always giving thanks to God the Father for everything, in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ. Submit to one another out of reverence for Christ.” (Ephesians 5:15-21)

I certainly do want to “make the most of every opportunity” that God gives me to serve His purposes – because His purposes are always good. Mine, not so much. Mine can be selfish and self-centered. But God’s plans are for our good, “plans to prosper us and not to harm us, plans to give us hope and a future.” (Jeremiah 29:11)

Some translations say “redeeming the time” which reminds me just how important it is that I use the time I have been given wisely and to the full, not wasting one moment of it. Even the most ordinary moments are filled with extraordinary promise and potential if I just have eyes to see what possibilities God has placed within them. How shall I spend the moments of my God-given days? Romans has some good suggestions for me.

“Hate what is evil; cling to what is good. Be devoted to one another in brotherly love. Honor one another above yourselves. Never be lacking in zeal, but keep your spiritual fervor, serving the Lord. Be joyful in hope, patient in affliction, faithful in prayer. Share with God’s people who are in need. Practice hospitality. Bless those who persecute you; bless and do not curse. Rejoice with those who rejoice; mourn with those who mourn. Live in harmony with one another. . . . as far as it depends on you, live at peace with everyone. Do not take revenge, my friends, but leave room for God’s wrath . . . Do not be overcome by evil, but overcome evil with good.” (Romans 12:9-21)

Ok, if I am wondering how to spend my time, my hours and my days – I think the suggestions above will keep me busy twenty-four/seven. Being joyful and patient, praying, sharing, blessing, rejoicing, mourning, practicing hospitality, honoring others, serving the Lord – all good ways for me to be “redeeming the time” God has given me. Like the two faithful servants in the parable, I need to be about my Master’s business while I await His return. In Thessalonians I read –

“Be joyful always; pray continually; give thanks in all circumstances, for this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus.” (1 Thessalonians 5:16-18)

How am I spending my time, the currency given to me by my Master, while I am waiting for my Master’s return or for “all the days ordained for me” to come to pass? The days certainly are evil. I want to be making the most of every opportunity God gives to me. And I have this promise from His Word –

“May God Himself, the God of peace, sanctify you through and through. May your whole spirit, soul and body be kept blameless at the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ. The one who calls you is faithful and He will do it.” (1 Thessalonians 5:23-24)

He will “keep me blameless” at His return. I am thankful for that assurance. I don’t want to be like the guy who was busy building bigger barns for himself and all his stuff when “all the days ordained for him” came to an end. He had been busy with his own business, not God’s. He stored up treasure here on earth “where moth and rust destroy, and where thieves break in and steal.” That didn’t work out all that well for him. I want to be storing up treasure in heaven “where moth and rust do not destroy, and where thieves do not break in and steal.”

I don’t know the “number of my days” or when Jesus will return. But I do know I want to be redeeming this time, rather than wasting this gift I have been given. The story in Mark 13 describes my current situation and yours, too, dear readers. I read –

“It’s like a man going away: He leaves his house and puts his servants in charge, each with his assigned task, and tells the one at the door to keep watch. Therefore, keep watch because you do not know when the owner of the house will come back – whether in the evening, or at midnight, or when the rooster crows, or at dawn. If he comes suddenly, do not let him find you sleeping.” (Mark 13:34-36)

I have an assigned task – I want to be found engaged in that sacred assignment rather than in some frivolous pursuit when my time is up. This parable from Luke encourages me to do just that.

“Be dressed ready for service and keep your lamps burning, like men waiting for their master to return from a wedding banquet, so that when he comes and knocks they can immediately open the door for him. It will be good for those servants whose master finds them watching when he comes. . . . It will be good for those servants whose master finds them ready, even if he comes in the second or third watch of the night.” (Luke 12:35-38)

Oh Lord, whenever You come or call me home – may You find me watching, waiting and ready – using the talents You have entrusted to me, busy about Your business not my own. May You find me redeeming the time for the days are evil.

sincerely, Grace Day

This reminds me of another question a popular ad for a certain credit card used to ask – “What’s in your wallet?” The implication is that the contents of one’s wallet are critically important and make a huge difference in the quality, experiences and outcomes of one’s life. More specifically, they want you to believe that if you have their credit card in your wallet things will go well for you – you will have access to “the good life.” They imply it is only their credit card which can deliver to you the life you desire. Well, if money (or a credit card) could buy happiness, then maybe what’s in my wallet would matter.

But I’m wondering if the truly important question isn’t “What’s in your wallet?” but rather, “What’s on your playlist?” Now playlist typically means music. It’s our “jam” – it’s the music we listen to while we run or workout. It’s the music that inspires us, gets us going, picks us up when we’re down. It’s the music we dance to, sing along with in the car – it is the music that is the backdrop of our lives, not unlike the musical score of a movie, always there with us, playing in our heads, sometimes softer, receding into the background, sometimes louder, getting our attention. But the music on our playlist is always there, playing continuously in our minds, influencing every aspect of how we go about our days.

Why are playlists on my mind at present? Because I just finished making a playlist for a friend at her request. But it’s not what you might think. It is not a musical playlist. It is a list of Bible verses for her to read as often as she likes, to take to heart, to memorize if she so chooses, so that she can “play” these Bible verses over and over again in her mind as often as she likes, as often as she feels the need for the comfort, assurance, guidance, encouragement and hope they provide.

Our playlists determine which tunes our ears attune to, which drummer we march to, therefore, what’s on our playlist matters. Likewise, any playlist of words with which we choose to fill our minds, matters greatly. And there are so many words to choose from. There are novels and poetry, biographies and plays, famous quotes and current slogans and jingles from ad campaigns. (I started this post with a quote from an old ad) So which words or whose words do we hold onto? Whose words do we want on our playlists? Why is the playlist I made for my friend entirely comprised of Bible verses? Well, Paul says in his letter to Timothy this –

“All scripture is God-breathed and is useful for teaching, rebuking, correcting and training in righteousness, so that the man of God may be thoroughly equipped for every good work.” (2 Timothy 3:16-17)

Ok, all scripture is beneficial and will prepare us to do good things in this world, because it’s all from God – so I can’t go wrong as long as I stick with God’s Word. That’s reassuring because I want to help my friend, not cause her harm in any way. “All scripture” means nothing in God’s word is off limits or not playlist worthy, so I have plenty of material to choose from for my friend’s playlist and for my own as well. I guess that means even words from Numbers or Leviticus, right?

Who am I to think words in those books not suitable playlist material? So, I took a quick look and came across these words from Numbers 23:19-20 –

“God is not a man, that He should lie, nor a son of man, that He should change His mind. Does He speak and then not act? Does He promise and not fulfill? I have received a command to bless; He has blessed, and I cannot change it.”

Who says Numbers is just a book of numbers? Even if that were so, numbers are an important part of the telling of God’s story. Anyway, back to why a playlist of God’s words. We know that God says this about His Word –

“so is My word that goes out from My mouth: It will not return to Me empty, but will accomplish what I desire and achieve the purpose for which I sent it.” (Isaiah 55:11)

That’s a good reason to have God’s Word on my playlist – God’s words are not idle or empty words, they are living words that have the power to accomplish His purposes in my life. And God’s purposes are always good and so much better than my own ideas for myself.

“Now to Him who is able to do immeasurably more than all we ask or imagine, according to His power that is at work within us,” (Ephesians 3:20)

That’s another reason I want God’s Word on the playlist that runs through my mind continuously – His word is powerful and purposeful and will do His work in me.

“For the word of God is living and active. Sharper than any double-edged sword, it penetrates even to dividing soul and spirit, joints and marrow; it judges the thoughts and attitudes of the heart.” (Hebrews 4:12)

If I put God’s Word on my playlist, bringing His words into my heart and my mind, I give His words a chance to do their transformative work in me and in my life.

“Do not conform any longer to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God’s will is – His good, pleasing and perfect will.” (Romans 12:2)

That’s what a playlist of God’s word does – it renews my mind as often as I play it. And like any favorite playlist, I can play it over and over again in my mind if I choose to do so. God’s living word is always available to me. Another benefit of this playlist in this chaotic and confusing world, is that its words will guide me and I often need direction and clarity. The psalmist said this about God’s playlist –

“Your word is a lamp to my feet and a light for my path.” (Psalm 119:105)

As I write this, I am realizing just how important the content of my chosen playlist is. There used to be a saying – “You are what you eat.” (I’d be ice cream) It could also be said – “You are what you think.” And God’s word agrees saying –

“For as he thinketh in his heart, so is he:” (Proverbs 23:7 KJV)

I know I have a default playlist. This is one that plays automatically in my mind – one made up of the voices that surround me now and of the voices that have spoken for better or for worse, into my life throughout the years. These voices often come unbidden, enter in and take up residence while my guard is down and the spaces of my mind open, because they are not filled with anything of substance, only with those thoughts that can be blown about easily by the winds of change. Such are the thoughts of our current culture – unstable, constantly changing, fear producing, deceptive, divisive, often hurtful words that do not make for a good playlist.

But here’s the good news. I can choose my playlist! You can choose your playlist! We each can choose what we put on our playlists. We can edit them, we can change them, we can update them and we can delete words from our playlists. We can be intentional about what’s on our playlists. We don’t have to go through our days, moving to an unintentional or to a default playlist – the choice is ours. We can create our own playlist.

To this end, Paul has some useful advice for us –

“Finally, brothers, whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable – if anything is excellent or praiseworthy – think about such things.” (Philippians 4:8)

“Whatever is true” – Jesus prayed this prayer to God – “Sanctify them by the truth; Your word is truth.” (John 17:17)

That’s what I want, a playlist full of truth to guide me and to protect me from believing lies that will lead me away from the life God wants to give me. I chose God’s word for my friend’s playlist and I choose it for my playlist too. The words of the world are constantly changing, but God’s word never changes. I can count on that.

“Heaven and earth will pass away, but My words will never pass away.” (Matthew 24:35)

“The grass withers and the flowers fall, but the word of our God stands forever.” (Isaiah 40:8)

Today I will choose a playlist that renews my mind, teaches me, transforms me, guides me, guards me, equips me for everything God calls me to do, lights my way in this dark world – a playlist that is living, active and able to accomplish God’s purposes in my life. I choose a playlist comprised entirely of God’s eternal, living Word.

What’s on your playlist?

sincerely, Grace Day

That was my car this morning – a non-starter. I hopped in my car as usual, ready to head for work BUT – nothing except a clicking sound. The battery was dead. This came as a complete surprise to me, as I had had no trouble yesterday or last night. I did not anticipate this event, therefore, I was not prepared and I had no back up plan. (I have a spare tire but not a spare car at my disposal)

My oil light and my tire light had both been on recently, giving me a head’s up that something needed to be done. BUT there is no “battery light” to warn me beforehand that my battery is about to die, so that I can make preparations for this event and include it in my schedule when making plans. Because I can’t schedule or choose the day and the time that my battery is going to die, it is guaranteed to happen at the most inconvenient time. But then, is there ever a “good” time to have your car battery go dead?

I can’t think of one and this morning was no exception. I needed to get to work. I called Triple A and waited for assistance to arrive. Within the hour a technician had come, charged my battery and given my car a clean bill of health. As soon as he left, I got in my car ready again to head to work. This hadn’t been too big of a set back after all – just a minor inconvenience.

I decided I would call work once I was on my way. Good thing I waited to inform them of my ETA. I turned the key and . . . you guessed it – nothing! To say I was surprised would be an understatement. My car had been running just minutes beforehand. So, I placed another call to Triple A, starting all over again. This time I got a different customer service person on the line, who seemed to take more time than the one I spoke with earlier. This time I had to wait over an hour for someone to respond to my request for service and then longer still for them to actually arrive at my house.

With this new technician, the routine was the same as with the first one, but this time I was told I needed a new battery. This, I gladly purchased on the spot and had installed. Certainly now, with my problem solved, I would have reliability and with it, peace of mind. I count on my car to start when I turn the key in the ignition and today I was caught off guard when it didn’t start. “Replace battery” was not on my schedule for today. I had other plans. Reminds me of what it says in Proverbs –

“In his heart a man plans his course, but the Lord determines his steps.” (Proverbs 16:9)

I want to be in control of everything that happens to me and of everything around me BUT – I am not. That can be a hard truth to accept. I trusted that my car would always start – but even though it usually starts, it is not infallible, it will fail me at some point. That point came today. (just as it has come at other times over the years, each and every time unannounced of course) Maybe total trust in my unreliable car is a bit misplaced. I am reminded of what King David said about trust –

“Some trust in chariots and some in horses, but we trust in the name of the Lord our God.” (Psalm 20:7)

Seems like David lacked complete confidence in his modes of transportation just as I do with mine today! Misplaced trust can lead to a lot of disappointment and uncertainty. Who or what I put my trust in makes all the difference in the world. Therefore, I take to heart these instructions in Proverbs 3:5-6,

“Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding; in all your ways acknowledge Him, and He will direct your paths.”

To do this I have to give up my control over my life, or more accurately, the control I imagine I have and trust God enough to surrender to His plans for me. Surrendering takes courage. That might appear to be an oxymoron – but it is true nonetheless. Surrendering is not giving up (well it is me giving up my attempts at control) but surrendering to God is believing by faith that God’s ways are better than my ways, His wisdom superior to my own. After all, I am constantly caught off guard by events each day that I don’t know are coming. But not my Heavenly Father. In fact, I read in Isaiah –

“I am God, and there is no other; I am God, and there is none like Me. I make known the end from the beginning, from ancient times, what is still to come.” (Isaiah 46:9-10)

God is not caught off guard by anything, including dead car batteries at inopportune times. I am willing to cede control of my life to my Heavenly Father because I believe Him when He says this –

” ‘For I know the plans I have for you,’ declares the Lord, ‘plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future.’ ” (Jeremiah 29:11)

Today, as every day, I choose again (and again and again) to trust in God, believing what Paul says in Romans when he says –

“And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love Him, who have been called according to His purpose.” (Romans 8:28)

“In all things” – in dead car batteries and in much more difficult and painful situations, in cancer, and job loss, and loss of loved ones, in persecution and in every storm and trial of life – I choose to believe “all” really means “all.” No fine print, no exclusions. “God works in all things for good” – my good and your good, dear readers. Why don’t I always or even usually recognize it at the time? Well, as Isaiah says –

” ‘For My thoughts are not your thoughts, neither are your ways My ways,’ declares the Lord. ‘As the heavens are higher than the earth, so are My ways higher than your ways and My thoughts than your thoughts.’ ” (Isaiah 55:8-9)

Of course I don’t understand God – I simply have to trust Him by faith. Isaiah says this –

“Who has measured the waters in the hollow of His hand, or with the breadth of His hand marked off the heavens? Who has held the dust of the earth in a basket, or weighed the mountains on the scales and the hills in a balance? Who has understood the mind of the Lord, or instructed Him as His counselor? Whom did the Lord consult to enlighten Him, and who taught Him the right way? Who was it that taught Him knowledge or showed Him the path of understanding?” (Isaiah 40:12-14)

If I am going to give up control of my life to someone else, let it be to God, Creator and sustainer of all the universe. After all –

“As for God, His way is perfect; the word of the Lord is flawless. He is a shield for all who take refuge in Him. For who is God besides the Lord? And who is the Rock except our God? It is God who arms me with strength and makes my way perfect. He makes my feet like the feet of a deer; He enables me to stand on the heights. He trains my hands for battle; my arms can bend a bow of bronze. You give me Your shield of victory, and Your right hand sustains me; You stoop down to make me great. You broaden the path beneath me, so that my ankles do not turn.” (Psalm 18:31-36)

I will surrender control to God. He is my shield. He is my refuge. It is His right hand that sustains me each day. I will trust His ways over my ways.

sincerely, Grace Day

ps. hidden blessing of the dead car battery – all four of my tires were too low – I thought the tire light was a false signal as usual, but the tech caught it and aired all my tires to a correct level and no more annoying tire light!