Daily Word: Living As An Optimist

Matthew 4:21-22 says: Going on from there, He saw two other brothers, James the son of Zebedee, and John his brother, in the boat with Zebedee their father, mending their nets. He called them, and immediately they left the boat and their father, and followed Him. (NKJV) In an instant, the lives of James and John were changed permanently for the better. Rabbi Nachman of Breslov said: "Things can go from the very worst to the very best in just the blink of an eye." Rebbi Nachman was an optimist. He lived his life believing the next moment in time could change the impossible to the possible. We can live lives full of hope and expectancy, if we believe that things can change with one action.

The word for immediately is the Greek word eutheos and it means instantly, straightway, or forthwith. It applies a short period of time. We need to understand that we have a role to play in turning our lives around for the good. Jesus didn't make John and James leave their nets. They could have chosen to remain, but they didn't. Opportunity knocked and they seized the moment. Your action may take work, but it is often just making the decision to change that opens the door for change to occur. It can occur in the twinkling of a eye. We need to live lives expecting the opening and seizing the opportunity as doors are opened to us.

Today, live your life expecting the impossible to become the possible. Be prepared to make any change necessitated by the moment. Know that God does have a plan and it includes you. Be like a Boy Scout and, "Be prepared."