Someone said, "It's easier to get folks to agree to do better tomorrow than to get them to do their best today." Samuel Johnson, a literary giant of England in the 1700s, had the words, "The Night Cometh" engraved on the face of his pocket watch. No doubt, through the years as he looked as his watch countless times, he would be reminded that time itself would eventually come to an end. Jesus said, "We must work the works of Him that sent me, while it is day: the night cometh when no man can work" (John 9:4).

There is a real danger in delay. Promises are sometimes made to others and ourselves when we have no intention of keeping them. In fact a promise may be just another way of delaying what could be done today. Another day, another delay, another promise. Perhaps we should just do our best today. Yesterday is gone, tomorrow may never be, but today is here for us to use wisely, to the best our ability.

Delay, at least in certain areas, ought to frighten us. Paul the apostle said, "behold, now is the acceptable time, behold, now is the day of salvation" (II Corinthians 6:2). For years some have promised a spiritual commitment, to make a needed change, to improve a damaged relationship, or to work on some needed personal improvement, and yet the days slip away and the promises multiply.

Let us not lose heart, but accept the gift of today and do our best with what the good Lord has given us.