The wonders of Jesus' death and the unspeakable and unknowable blessings of God's final kingdom all enable us to live our ordinary lives in righteous and holy ways. Jesus "gave himself for us" so that we would be "zealous for good deeds." We hope for God's final revelation by living "lives that are self-controlled, upright, and godly." The wonders of the heavens, the imponderable mysteries of God's glory, live in the simple deeds of our lives.
Thus, we turn this day to the wonders of this day. We live the simple Christian (and human) virtues. We pursue love and kindness and generosity. We flee selfishness and violence and hate. We give ourselves and our lives, as Jesus did, to others. We live convinced that righteousness and love will be victorious. We live convinced that the graces we enjoy in our own lives will one day bless the lives of everyone, even the world itself. The confusions of tomorrow are held in God's hand, while the wonders of this day fall to us and our awkward deeds of love. Drinking the beauty of this day, pursuing the righteousness and justice within it, is a good way to wait for God's glory.
God of today's grace and tomorrow's hope, we praise you for the beauty and opportunities of this good day. Pour your grace upon us so that we may live righteous, loving, and godly lives, this very day. Amen.
Lewis Donelson
Ruth A. Campbell Professor of New Testament
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