Three sets of eyes gazed into the bright sun

That rose from the land with the new year begun.

Their focus all seemed to be one and the same,

Yet their vision within laid a far different claim.

One pair saw only a time they did know

Of faded, worn memories of life long ago;

While a second was straining far off to see

A life they had fashioned as their own destiny.

The third set of eyes looked 'round at the two

Who were lost in their thoughts and had nothing to do

With this moment so precious on this blessed day,

When they could have walked with the Truth and the Way.

These last loving eyes helped the others to stand,

And together they looked upon a lost land.

It was then that they saw new life had begun.

As we remember Yesterday and look forward to Tomorrow, it is so easy to forget about Today. Yesterday tells us who we have been. Tomorrow shows us who will become. But it is Today that transforms us, leading us into new life. It is Today that Jesus says to love each other, encourage each other, and follow Him. Without Today, Yesterday is meaningless and Tomorrow never comes.

We've come a long way to reach this point. We have known great joy and deep sorrow. We have celebrated and mourned. We have seen times of peace as well as pain. So, what do we do with such experiences? Perhaps we're supposed to use them in reaching out to others...people we know as well as strangers...those we like and those we don't...those who share our beliefs and those who could not care less. Perhaps, just perhaps, we're supposed to actually follow Jesus instead of just talking about it.

Each day is a new day. The past has gone. The future is yet to come. But we can make a difference Today! We can let others see the light of Christ in our lives. We can change our priorities so that God comes first - His desires, His will, His instructions - because we know that He is good and what He wants for and in our lives is best, not only for us, but for those around us.

Such responsibility takes great faith. Great faith takes great courage. And great courage comes from God...directly and through His people. That's why we've been told, Encourage each other as long as it is called Today. (Hebrews 3:13)

It is a difficult calling, especially in a dark world where others hate us only because we follow Jesus. But together, we can look upon this lost land and see new life. We can do this, as together we gaze into the eyes of the Son.

For today and the days to come - May the grace of the Lord Jesus Christ, and the love of God, and the fellowship of the Holy Spirit be with you all. (2 Corinthians 13:14)