But encourage one another daily, as long as it is called “Today,” so that none of you may be hardened by sin’s deceitfulness. Hebrews 3:13
“Veronica’s parents were peasants of a village near Milan. From her childhood she toiled hard in the house and the field, and accomplished cheerfully every menial task. Gradually the desire for perfection grew within her; she became deaf to the jokes and songs of her companions…
The community was extremely poor, and Veronica’s duty was to beg through the city for their daily food… She was afflicted with secret but constant bodily pains, yet never would consent to be relieved of any of her labors, or to omit one of her prayers. By exact obedience she became a living copy of the rule, and obeyed with a smile…
She died in 1497, on the day she had foretold, after a six months’ illness, aged fifty-two years, and in the thirtieth of her religious profession. When Veronica was urged in sickness to accept some exemption from her labors, her one answer was, “I must work while I can, while I have time.” Dare we, then, waste ours?”
Veronica of Milan (1445-1497) in The Lives of the Saints by Alan Butler, 1894 (Global Grey edition, 2019) 13 January reading.
“I must work while I can, while I have time.”
I shiver when people say that they steward “time, talent, and treasure” from God. Why, you may ask? The reality is, we do not steward time because we do not possess time.
I may possess talent and treasure, but I have no guarantee of the next minute, hour, day, week, or year.
When we think we steward time, we put off to tomorrow what God desires we do today. We do not know what tomorrow holds. No one does. That’s why, on each “today” we must encourage each other to faithful service.
And the writer of Hebrews explains what causes us to put off the good work God has for us.
We become hardened by the deceitfulness of sin. It happens to all of us. God forgive us and inspire us by the example of Veronica today. Despite affliction, she focused on caring for the poor. She worked for God while she had time.
Be perfect, therefore, as your heavenly Father is perfect. Matthew 5:48. She was a living copy of a soul who aimed at perfection.
What is the work God has called you to do? How does the deceitfulness of sin try to distract or hinder you from doing that important work? Ask the Spirit to make you a living copy of humble, generous service.
So, far, my meetings are going well for me in Czechia. God is forming an amazing team. More later. Thanks for your prayers.