Every day is a gift from God. Learn to focus on the Giver and enjoy the gift!— Joyce Meyer
Have you ever found yourself waiting for the perfect conditions to truly start enjoying your life? It’s a common sentiment echoed throughout our lives, much like the old promise, "I'll be happy when I'm done with school." But as we grow, we quickly realise that with each stage comes new challenges, and waiting for the perfect moment might mean we never get to enjoy the present at all.
By the time you achieve your definition of 'perfect,' you may no longer know how to appreciate it. You may even find yourself constantly striving to maintain it. That’s why Joyce Meyer poignantly admonishes, "Don't wait for everything to be perfect before you decide to enjoy your life."
Each day is a fresh opportunity, laden with new mercies from God. As Lamentations 3:22-23 NLT reminds us, "The faithful love of the Lord never ends! His mercies never cease. Great is his faithfulness; his mercies begin afresh each morning." This is a powerful reminder that every day is a gift—a new chance to experience joy and fulfilment. God desires for us to relish each day.
In John 10:10, Jesus teaches, "The thief comes only in order to steal and kill and destroy. I came that they may have and enjoy life, and have it in abundance (to the full, till it overflows)." Enjoying life isn’t just permitted—it’s encouraged by the very author of our lives.
As the older yet unloved wife of Jacob, Leah’s life was filled with yearning—yearning to be loved and seen. She named her children as markers of her emotional and spiritual journey: Reuben, "See, a son," as a testament to God’s acknowledgment of her misery; Simeon, "One who hears," reflecting her belief that God heard her prayers; Levi, "Attached," in hope for her husband’s affection. This hope was however unrealized yet she chose to name her fourth son, Judah, "Praise”.
This signalled a shift in her perspective towards gratitude and joy, irrespective of her circumstances. From Leah's story, we learn that joy doesn’t come from perfect conditions, but from a shift in perspective—a realisation that we can find reasons to experience joy and celebrate God regardless of our circumstances.
We might wonder how differently Leah might have lived if she had fully understood her value and the pivotal role she played in biblical history. Her sons founded tribes that were central to Israel’s story, with Judah leading the lineage of King David and, ultimately, the promised Saviour, Jesus Christ.
Philippians 4:6-7 encourages us not to be anxious, but to approach God with gratitude in every situation. This mindset guards our hearts and minds, helping us focus on the present rather than being weighed down by the past or fearful of the future.
Instead of endlessly striving for the next big achievement—whether it’s buying a house, taking a vacation, or earning a promotion—why not take a moment to enjoy what you have right now? Psalm 127:2 (TPT) reassures us, "It really is senseless to work so hard from early morning till late at night, toiling to make a living for fear of not having enough. God can provide for his devoted lovers even while they sleep."
While on vacation in the U.S., I spotted a beautiful coat in a shop and wanted to buy it for my wife. She admired it at first but hesitated when she saw the price—mindful of other needs we had at the time. Still, I went ahead and bought it for her. A few days later, during a conference, a member of the prayer team—someone who didn’t know us—shared a word about learning to receive and enjoy the blessings God gives. What clearer confirmation could we have asked for of the vital need to embrace and delight in the Father’s good gifts?
Sadly, many people struggle to fully embrace the goodness of God, often feeling unworthy or uneasy when the Father lavishes His love and provision on them. Life may be full of ongoing challenges, but there are also endless opportunities for joy. Take a moment to enjoy today—it is God’s gift to you. Tomorrow will take care of itself.
Let’s draw inspiration from Leah's transformation, learning to appreciate our lives, even with their imperfections. Whether it’s savouring a simple pleasure like window shopping, taking a walk, investing in something you truly enjoy, or recognising each new day as a fresh start, these moments are opportunities to relish the present.
The key to enjoying life is not in the accumulation of days or possessions, but in the intentional appreciation of each moment. Heaven rejoices over the smallest victories, teaching us to cherish what we have today.
As Leah eventually realised—and as we should too—every day is a gift, not to be overshadowed by past regrets or future anxieties. Let us embrace today with joy and gratitude, for it is through this that we truly live.