The Latin phrase, ‘Carpe diem’ literally translates to ‘seize the day.’ The phrase comes from Book 1 of Roman poet Horace’s Odes, written around 23 BC. In the original Latin, it’s part of the longer phrase ‘carpe diem, quam minimum credula postero,’ which translates to ‘Seize the day, put very little trust in tomorrow.’ So whenever anyone exhorts us to ‘seize the day,’ they are simply saying, ‘Make the most of every opportunity you have right now!’ This is exactly what the Apostle Paul wrote to the Christians in Ephesus many years ago:
Ephesians 5:15-16 “Be very careful, then, how you live – not as unwise but as wise, making the most of every opportunity, because the days are evil.”
As I was giving some thought and prayer to what I might bring to you following my teaching series on discipleship, a number of different issues and subjects came into my mind and so I began writing them down as headings. I stopped when I got to twelve and realised that in some ways, they were totally unrelated topics and didn’t really form a normal sermon series in the way we are used to. But then that old Latin phrase just leapt from the page. Carpe Diem; Seize the Day! Each and every heading I had written down, represented a different way we could seize the day as we wrestled with each of those issues.
So, I had my next sermon series and I believe each of these twelve sermons will stand alone and speak to different people in different ways. But together, they will provide a valuable toolbox for those who really want to make the most of every opportunity, every day. This first sermon is actually a paradox and the Oxford Dictionary defines the word ‘paradox’ in the following way: ‘A paradox is a statement contrary to received opinion; A statement that, whether true or not, seems absurd at first hearing. A person, thing or statement conflicting with preconceived notions of the reasonable or possible.’ The Bible is full of paradoxical statements and events. Things which don’t make sense on the surface. Statements that appear to be contradictions or impossibilities. The most famous of course is the statement Jesus made in Matthew 10:39 when He said, “Whoever finds his life will lose it, and whoever loses his life for my sake will find it.”
Well, I present you with another paradox today in the title of this sermon, which is a call to close your eyes and see. Now you already know that when you close your eyes, you see nothing. You shut out the world around you visually and you see only darkness. So, it doesn’t make a lot of sense to suggest that we need to close our eyes to see, does it? Such a statement seems like nonsense – just as nonsensical, I would suggest, as finding your life and losing it or losing your life and finding it – and yet that happens to be one of the most profound statements in the whole New Testament. Allow me then to unpack this paradox a little more.
Today is the first day of the rest of your life. Today, like every day, is a fresh gift from God and a new beginning – or at least it can be a new beginning if you let it. And in this new day, you have a choice in what you see when you look ahead. You can look at just another day; the same old same old; here we go again; the great clock of the universe has chimed once more as another day disappears and a new one begins. You can look with your physical eyes at a world that is not much different to the one you left behind yesterday. You can make judgements about yourself, your family, your job, your city, your Church and even your God – based solely on what you see with your physical eyes. I suggest this is how the majority of people, Christian or not, greet each new day. Alternatively, you can close your eyes and see – and I mean really see the world as it actually is.
I remember as a little boy having a vivid imagination and I would often close my eyes at all times of the day and night, to block out the reality of the human world around me for a while so I could go anywhere, do anything and be anyone I wanted to be. The imagination is an amazing thing and I remember having such incredible adventures as I saw things that no one else could see. As a young boy I knew what it was like to close your eyes and see. Of course, you can’t continue living in this human world without opening your eyes again and being aware of the reality that is around you. That is important because you will end up flat on your face if you walk around all day with your eyes closed! The sad fact is that when we grew up, most of us lost the ability or even the desire to close our eyes and see. Our childish imagination and dreaming of another reality, gave way to the reality of what is around us. That is understandable, but tragic.
It is tragic to realise that there are people in our world today for whom the only reality that exists is that which they see with their physical eyes. It is the finite, touch it, smell it, taste it, see it, hear it ‘real’ world around them. I am saddened when I encounter that in an unbeliever, but even more concerned to find it in so many Christians. There are too many people who claim to be indwelt by the life of Jesus Christ who do not know how to close their eyes and see the wonderful and amazing world which the Bible calls the Kingdom of God or the Kingdom of Heaven.
As we sit here now there is a small ‘r’ reality which we can see and touch and articulate; we could describe the building we are in and the people who are around us; we could go on to describe our life, our calling and our career; we could speak about our family and our friends and our house and our car and our Church and our city and our nation etc. All things which we see and a reality which we perceive when we look with our eyes. For far too many people, that is the only reality which exists – and let’s be honest – in this broken, dysfunctional world, that is a pretty depressing reality most days! However, for those pilgrims who are brave enough to close their eyes and see; for those believers who are willing to walk by faith and not by sight; for those who want to see a big “R” Reality – they can catch a glimpse of the real world; they can see what God sees and it is so much more detailed and so much more amazing than anything we could ever dream.
Let me tell you a true story, which will illustrate what I mean. I am sure many of you may have already heard it – but it is a perfect illustration for us today. There were two men, both seriously ill, occupying the same hospital room. One man was allowed to sit up in his bed for one hour each afternoon to help drain the fluid from his lungs and his bed was next to the room’s only window. The other man had to spend all his time flat on his back. The men talked for hours on end. They spoke about their wives and families; their homes; their jobs; their involvement in the military; where they had been on vacation etc. Then every afternoon when the man in the bed by the window could sit up for one hour, he would pass the time by describing to his roommate all the things he could see outside the window.
The man in the other bed began to live for that hour each day where his whole world would be broadened and enlivened by all the activity and colour of the world outside. The man said the window overlooked a park with a lovely lake. Ducks and swans played on the water while children sailed their model boats. Young lovers walked arm in arm amidst flowers of every colour of the rainbow. Grand old trees graced the landscape, and a fine view of the city skyline could be seen in the distance. As the man by the window described all this in exquisite detail, the man on the other side of the room would close his eyes as the picturesque scene became more and more real each day. One warm afternoon the man by the window described a parade passing by. Although the other man couldn’t hear the band – he could see it in his mind’s eye as the gentleman by the window portrayed it with beautiful descriptive words. Then unexpectedly, a sinister thought entered his mind. Why should this other man experience all the pleasures of seeing everything while he himself never got to see a thing? It didn’t seem fair. At first thought the man felt ashamed. But as the days passed and he missed seeing beyond the ceiling above his bed, his envy eroded into resentment and soon turned him sour. He began to brood and he found himself unable to sleep. ‘I should be next to that window!’ became the thought that now seemed to control his life.
Late one night as he lay staring at the ceiling, the man by the window began to cough. He was choking on the fluid in his lungs. The other man watched in the dimly lit room as the struggling man by the window groped for the button to call for help. Listening from across the room he never moved, never pushed his own button which would have brought the nurse running in. After five tense minutes, the coughing and choking stopped, along with the sound of breathing. Now there was only silence – deathly, cold silence. The following morning the day nurse arrived to check in on the two men. When she found the lifeless body of the man by the window, she was deeply saddened and called the hospital attendants to take him away.
As soon as it seemed appropriate, the other man asked if he could be moved next to the window. The nurse was happy to make the switch, and after making sure he was comfortable, she left him alone. Slowly and painfully, he propped himself up on one elbow to take his first look at the wonderful world outside which his former roommate had described so beautifully. Finally, he would have the joy of seeing it all himself. He strained to turn and look out the window, only to discover it faced a blank brick wall.
The man later asked the nurse what could have compelled his deceased roommate to describe such wonderful things outside this window. The nurse explained that the man was blind and could not see out the window either! She said, “Perhaps he could see a world beyond his darkness and limitations, and maybe he just wanted to encourage you.”
Now I could preach ten sermons from that story, but there is one point I want to drive home today; one question which I want to ask you today, as you face this next chapter of your earthly and spiritual pilgrimage. What do you see out your window each day?
Each of us has a window; each of us is looking out that window right now as I ask you what you can see? What does ‘the world according to you’ look like? Do you just see that boring, predictable, lifeless brick wall just like the one you saw yesterday and last month and last year? Is it kind of like the wall in the prisoner’s cell as he ticks off the days, months and years until his release? Is that what you see out your window? I fear that for many people that is all they see. Or do you do what I try to still do? I am certainly not a little boy anymore, but I still know how to close my eyes and see. I mean really see. I am not talking about fairy stories or dreams with no substance; we may see them too but I am talking about seeing with our spiritual eyes; seeing with God’s eyes.
For example, when you look around you with human eyes at your Church family, what do you see? Do you just see a collection of nice people who enjoy each other’s company; who meet in a comfortable building each Sunday; sing some nice worship and praise songs; enjoy fellowship over a cuppa and some award-winning scones? Do you see a Church that looks and sounds like many other Churches – nothing really to get too excited about?
Let me tell you what I saw when I closed my eyes and really looked at my Church family when I was writing this sermon. Let me tell you what I really see. I see all those who worship with me every week and call this Church their home. But I also see the many, many more who are being drawn by God and who will join us one day soon. I see who and what you all are right now, but I also see what you are becoming. I see a group of people who have journeyed through some major valleys and enjoyed some breath-taking mountain views as well. I see people who have been tested through trials and have been found faithful.
I see people who have the power of God in them and who are being trained and equipped and readied so that God can issue the command to march across this city and lead thousands into the Kingdom of God as we go. I see a Church that is embracing a fresh understanding of God’s grace in all its truth and that is releasing the true gospel in them which is going to spread throughout this city and this nation like a raging bushfire. I see a vision which is so much more than words in a document, it’s a living reality as people see their dreams fulfilled and as God’s kingdom comes and God’s will is done in our community as it is in heaven.
But then I see more … I see the dark side too. We cannot be selective in what we see when we close our eyes, it is all there and we need to see it all, in perspective. I see the plans of the devil and how he is so cleverly cutting across the purposes of God. I see demons attacking the people of God through gossip and slander and laziness and bad theology and multiple distractions and a lack of loyalty and commitment to a local Church. I see people discouraged and doubting and despairing because they took their eyes of Jesus.
But then I see God. I see God as He really is and not as fallen humans have perceived Him or portrayed him … and what a sight that is! I can feel the faith and the courage and the power and the determination to press on growing inside me as I behold our God … as He really is. He is the Lord Almighty, Omnipotent King, Lion of Judah, Rock of Ages, Prince of Peace, the King of Kings and the Lord of Lords, our Paternal Leader, Ruling Lord, the Reigning King of all the universe. He is my Father, He is my Helper, He is my Guardian, my Provider and Protector. He is God. He is the First and Last, the Beginning and the End. He is the keeper of Creation and the Creator of all He keeps. He is the Architect of the universe and the Manager time. He is risen and brings power. He reigns and brings Peace. He is the wisdom of the wise, He is the power of the powerful, He is the ancient of days, He is the ruler of rulers, He is the leader of leaders, He is the overseer of the overcomers, He is the sovereign Lord of all that was and is and is to come. He is light, love, longevity, and Lord. He is goodness, kindness, gentleness, and God.
He is Holy, Righteous, mighty, powerful, and pure. He is my redeemer, He is my saviour, He is my guide, He is my peace. He is my Joy, He is my comfort, He is my Lord. He always was, He always is, He always will be … unmoved, unchanged, undefeated, never undone. He was bruised and brought healing. He was pierced and eased pain. He was persecuted and brought freedom. He was dead and brought life. The world can’t understand Him. The armies can’t defeat Him. The schools can’t explain Him. The leaders can’t ignore Him. The Pharisees couldn’t confuse Him. The people can’t control Him! The New Age can’t replace Him. Herod couldn’t kill Him. Nero couldn’t crush Him. Hitler couldn’t silence Him. Experts can’t explain Him away! His ways are right. His word is eternal. His will is unchanging.
And I see even more of this God. I see that His mind is on me! His burden is light. His goal for me is abundant life. He rules my life. I serve Him because His bond is love. I follow Him because He is. He will never leave me. He will never forsake me. He will never mislead me. He will never forget me. He will never overlook me. He will never cancel my appointment in His appointment book! When I fall, He lifts me up. When I fail, He forgives. When I’m weak, He is strong. When I’m lost, He is the way. When I am afraid, He is my courage. When I stumble, He steadies me. When I am hurt, He heals me. When I am broken, He mends me. When I am blind, He leads me. When I am hungry, He feeds me. When I face trails, He is with me. When I face persecution, He strengthens me. When I face problems, He comforts me. When I face loss, He provides for me. When I finally die, He will carry me home! He is everything for everybody, everywhere, every time, and in every way. He is God. He is faithful. I am His, and He is mine! God is in control. I am on His side, and that means all is well with my soul!
It really is amazing what you can see when you close your eyes for a moment and focus on the big “R” reality as God sees it. All through the Bible, from cover to cover; from Genesis to revelation; from Adam and Eve to the new heaven and new earth; we encounter men, women and young people who knew how to close their eyes and see!
What about Abraham: with human eyes he saw only the fact that he had lost the plot. He heard voices from an unknown God; packed up everything and left home; heading for nowhere. He was the laughingstock of his hometown! But Abraham closed his eyes and he could see his barren wife nursing his son; he could see a promised land so amazing, so wonderful that words could not express its beauty. Abraham had a really tough journey and he made some mistakes along the way and he had some pretty discouraging experiences. But he only had to close his eyes and see what God was doing and where God was leading him – then Abraham could face another day; then Abraham could seize the day!
Moses closed his eyes and could no longer see a bunch of complaining, ungrateful people, but a land flowing with milk and honey. Jesus closed his eyes in the Garden of Gethsemane that night and gradually the small “r” reality which was dominated by pain and anguish of spirit and sorrow to the point of death faded as the big “R” reality took over and for the joy set before him by His Father in the real world, Jesus got up and continued His journey to the cross.
What about you, now, today? What do you see? Is your sight limited to the temporal, material, human realm around you, or are you brave enough to close your eyes now and dream some dreams and see what is really happening in the spiritual realm and what God is doing right now and what God is promising to do in you and through you in the days ahead?
Do you really want to seize the day, or will you continue to let the day seize you? It is my prayer that each and every one of us will have the courage, the commitment and the determination to close our eyes and see and then hear the words of the Apostle Paul once more:
1 Corinthians 2:9 “No eye has seen, no ear has heard, no mind has conceived what God has prepared for those who love him … but God has revealed it to us by his Spirit.”
So let’s close our eyes and see it … then open our eyes and live it.