As Though Today Were the Last

“So teach us to number our days, that we may apply our hearts unto wisdom.” — Psalm 90:12 (KJV)

One of Antony’s most famous pieces of advice is about how to live each day. He took Paul’s words, “I die daily”, and gave them a practical meaning:

“For if we too live as though dying daily, we shall not sin.”

He explained: when you get up in the morning, think that you might not live until the evening. When you go to bed, think that you might not wake up. Our lives are uncertain, and every day is a gift from God.

That might sound gloomy, but Antony meant the opposite. He said that living like this frees us from many things. We won’t hold grudges, because we will “forgive all things to all men”. We won’t be greedy or store up treasure on earth. We won’t be dragged around by bad desires. We will be ready.

Antony also helped his listeners see how short life is compared with eternity. Even if we live eighty or a hundred years, it is nothing compared with forever. And then he said something remarkable: in this world, everything is sold at its price, “but the promise of eternal life is bought for a trifle.”

In other words, whatever we give up for God is tiny compared with what he gives us. Paul said the same: “the sufferings of this present time are not worthy to be compared with the glory which shall be revealed in us.”

This isn’t about being morbid or anxious about death. If thinking about death makes you frightened or very low, please talk to someone you trust. The point is to see each day as precious, and to live it well, with no grudges, no wasted time, and no unfinished business with God or other people.

What would you do differently today if you knew it was your last? Say sorry to someone? Tell someone you love them? Pray? Antony would say: do it today.

One thing to do this week: each night this week before you sleep, ask yourself: “Is there anyone I need to forgive, or anything I need to put right with God?” Deal with it before you sleep, as Antony said.