A few years ago I came across a little two-word phrase in Scripture that got into my spirit: one day. I think I first encountered it in I Samuel 14:1. It's the story of Jonathan climbing the cliff with his armor bearer and engaging the Philistines. That is one of my favorite stories in the Bible. One act of courage saves a nation. But have you ever noticed how the passage starts out with that little two-word phrase? One day. It's almost the Bible equivalent to the classic movie line: once upon a time.
It's hard to put into words, but I live my life with a profound sense of destiny. God orders my footsteps. If I believe anything, I believe that. And that fills me with holy anticipation. At any given moment, God can invade the reality of our lives and change everything.
So I'm reading through Acts right now and there is that little two-word phrase again: "One day about three o'clock in the afternoon, Cornelius had a vision."
You never know when. You never know where. You never know how.
But one day, God can invade the reality of your life and change everything. That is what happens to Cornelius. Of course, it doesn't just change his life. Those of us who are not Jewish trace our spiritual lineage back to this vision on this day. If it weren't for this vision at three o'clock one day, the message of the gospel would have remained a Jewish thing. This vision at this time on this day bridged the racial divide. Whosoever will may come!
One day.
Today could be that one day! It might not be. But it could be. May you be filled with holy anticipation knowing that at any given moment God can invade the reality of your life and change everything.
It's hard to put into words, but I live my life with a profound sense of destiny. God orders my footsteps. If I believe anything, I believe that. And that fills me with holy anticipation. At any given moment, God can invade the reality of our lives and change everything.
So I'm reading through Acts right now and there is that little two-word phrase again: "One day about three o'clock in the afternoon, Cornelius had a vision."
You never know when. You never know where. You never know how.
But one day, God can invade the reality of your life and change everything. That is what happens to Cornelius. Of course, it doesn't just change his life. Those of us who are not Jewish trace our spiritual lineage back to this vision on this day. If it weren't for this vision at three o'clock one day, the message of the gospel would have remained a Jewish thing. This vision at this time on this day bridged the racial divide. Whosoever will may come!
One day.
Today could be that one day! It might not be. But it could be. May you be filled with holy anticipation knowing that at any given moment God can invade the reality of your life and change everything.
13 Comments:
Thanks, Mark. Appreciate your perspective. It seems like you and I (and others, I'm sure!) are on the "same page".
Oh man Mark! Did I need to hear this! Maybe I'll look back on the hard times I'm going through and say..."One day I was reading my favorite blogs and Mark Batterson said....." Thank you! God bless you and your ministry
Mark,
Love your insight and perspective. I needed to hear this today. My today, be the "one day" that God uses us to see His Kingdom advance like never before.
thanks for the two-word encouragement. I woke up today with a 'just-another-day-at-work' feeling. And i work in ministry. I needed a little kick in the pants. Very good reminder!
Thanks Mark! My perspective of the day has changed. I am encouraged.
Yeah, what Rogers said... :) Thanks
Great perspective to have on life! A great question too..."what are we anticipating today?"...as it will drive what we are looking for and noticing. Thanks for the encouragement today.
PM,
I was just reading through the book of "Mark" and those same words caught my eye. AWESOME.
I've been trying to find the perfect short, meaningful phrase to put on a dog tag as a gift for Luke before he deploys ... didn't want anything cliche.
I actually prayed on my way home from the gym not an hour ago that God would help me find the phrase ...
I think I just found it :-). "One day." ... so many possible meanings. One day he'll come home. One day God will use him in a divine moment. One day ... yeah.
Thanks :-)
I have had Dorri's song (from Finding Nemo) running through my head all day. "Just keep swimming, just keep swimming." This blog was a breath of fresh air as it reminded me why I'm in the water. Good word. Bless ya man
- Jason
So true! You never know when God will alter your course. Thanks for the encouragement!
Great thought!
Did you ever read Acts 3 in the NIV translation? Notice the contrast between vs. 1 ("One day Peter and John were going up to the Temple") and vs. 2 ("a man crippled from birth was being carried to the temple gate called Beautiful, where he was put every day"). In one day your every day can change!!!
I love reading your blog! Keep up the good work.
Jon
Wandered over here from another blog. GLAD I did. Awesome thought. Spoke to my heart. All is takes God is a moment in one day. I'll be meditating on this one for days to come. God Bless You!
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