To have the upper hand is to be on top of all circumstances occurring in one’s life. To be successful is to receive recognition and acclamation from peers, friends, and family. To be joyful—according to some— is to have a life free of torments, discomfort, challenges, bossy bosses, and stubborn children. To live out a great day today it must not rain. We don’t mind winter as long as it doesn’t snow. It seems that all ‘sinners’ are looking for paradise on earth. To a certain extent, paradise can exist on our planet under a sacrificial system. I am certainly not referring to the one for which the Levites were chosen. This particular sacrificial system would involve every one’s contribution:

• Hugging our kids daily even when they don’t do as we say.

• Telling our kids that we love them in spite of their clumsiness.

• Take the time to comfort an elderly on your way to work.

• Say wholeheartedly to our spouses: “Honey, I am so sorry; please forgive the one you married for better or worst; I love you dearly!”

• Help a child cross the street.

• Before you sit on any public transportation vehicle say to yourself: “I am sitting here for I am saving this seat for a pregnant woman, a blind person, an elderly etc.

• Call grandma to wish her “a sweet day in the arms of the Lord”.

• Help your elderly neighbor shovel around his/her home.

• Be a gracious cop.

• Say a prayer for the less fortunate, the prisoners, the prostitutes, the homosexuals, the lesbians, the handicap, the blind, the bum, the mute instead of hating and judging them.

• Give up some of your precious minutes to help a stranded driver.

• Look beyond someone’s skin color.

• Purchase a cup of tea (or more) for the homeless who is digging through the garbage can.

• Lend a hand to a woman struggling with her shopping bags.

• Allow someone to skip the line even though he or she does not deserve it.

• Be mindful of a lost tourist.

• As an employer, give the next job seeker a chance at earning his/her daily bread.

• Give to others without expecting anything in return.

• Be Christ-like. Amen!

“The end of all things is at hand; therefore, be of sound judgment and sober spirit for the purpose of prayer. Above all, keep fervent in your love for one another, because love covers a multitude of sins. Be hospitable to one another without complaint” (I Peter 4:7-9).

Whether you are eating, drinking, singing, preaching, whatever you do, do it all for the Glory of God. Live today as if it was the last day you are living for and in Christ.

TAKE UP YOUR CROSS DAILY AND FOLLOW CHRIST!