Matthew West’s song, While I Can, explores an interesting topic. He starts the song off “If today were my last day”, then he goes on to describe what things he would do with that knowledge. Then, he reaches the conclusion, “What I would do is what I will do while I can”. That is the conclusion that we all need to make.
If you knew that today was your last day, do you need to say your prayers? Do you need to get right with God? Would you treat people differently?
I think there are 3 ways to look at the statement, “If today were my last day.”
- You can say that tomorrow will not matter. You can do things with no consequences. Try to do everything you ever wanted to do, if it could be accomplished in 1 day.
- Change your behavior. Treat people better. Spend more time with loved ones.
- Make no changes. This could be because:
- You believe that you don’t need to change for anyone. How you have been living is how you will continue.
- You are already doing the things from #2.
The correct answer lies somewhere between 2 and 3.b.
As a Christian, I know how I should behave. I know how I should treat people. However, what I know I should be doing, and what I am doing are sometimes two different things. Listening to this song really convicts with some of the lines he says. One section in particular really makes me think:
I’d let go of all my grudges
Make the choice to just forgive
And spend the rest of my time free
From all this hate and bitterness
It is so easy to just let your emotions rule how you treat people. You need to rule over your emotions, rather than letting your emotions rule you. The Bible is specific about how to treat others:
Always be humble and gentle. Be patient with each other, making allowance for each other’s faults because of your love. Make every effort to keep yourselves united in the Spirit, binding yourselves together with peace. (Eph 4:2-3 NLT)
All bitterness, anger and wrath, shouting and slander must be removed from you, along with all malice. And be kind and compassionate to one another, forgiving one another, just as God also forgave you in Christ. (Eph. 4:31-32 HCSB)
Eph. 4:2 says, “Making allowance for each other’s faults”. I read that, and I know it is the correct way to live. But what if someone’s faults infringe on my life? Don’t I have the right to hold them accountable? Well, yes. However, the standard to which you hold someone accountable is not defined by you, your feelings, or your way of life. You hold people accountable to the Bible and God’s will. And the way to hold people accountable is in love, not with anger and bitterness. Holding people accountable for their actions is not a personal vendetta to make someone pay for the wrong they did to you. Holding people accountable is about turning them toward God.
Your actions, and your reactions to circumstances need to be an instantaneous response that reflects the glory of God. Then, if today is your last day, you have no regrets.
While I Can video (click to watch):
While I Can
If today was my last day
I’d call my mom out of the blue
Take the time to say the words I seldom do
I’d leave my suitcase in the closet
And tell the world it’ll have to wait
Then I’d take my little girl
On an ice cream date
What am I waiting for?
It ain’t like I’m gonna live forever
I don’t wanna miss it anymore
So from now on it’s now or never
I’m gonna hold on to what matters
And let the rest slip through my hands
What I would do
Is what I will do
While I can
I’d bring home baby’s favorite flowers
Leave my work outside the door
And we’d laugh about how we both forgot
What we were mad at each other for
I’d let go of all my grudges
Make the choice to just forgive
And spend the rest of my time free
From all this hate and bitterness
So what am I waiting for?
It ain’t like I’m gonna live forever
I don’t wanna miss it anymore
So from now on it’s now or never
I’m gonna hold on to what matters
And let the rest slip through my hands
What I would do
Is what I will do
While I can
If today was my last day
And it was almost time to go
I’d pick up that old bible
And I’d put down my phone
I’d watch the steam rise from my coffee
And the sun rise in the sky
And I’d thank the Lord for one more chance
To try and get it right
What am I waiting for?
It ain’t like I’m gonna live forever
I don’t wanna miss it anymore
So from now on it’s now or never
I’m gonna hold on to what matters
And let the rest slip through my hands
What I would do
Is what I will do
While I can
What I would do
Is what I will do
While I can
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