The phrase “carpe diem” first appeared, not in a modern movie, but in a Latin poem by Horace.  The idea of “carpe” is to pick or pluck as one would an apple.  Horace used it with the concept of enjoying the day.  Most of us are more familiar with the phrase from the movie Dead Poets Society (1989) as Robin Williams proclaimed to his class at the all boys academy - "Carpe diem! Seize the day, boys! Make your lives extraordinary!"

This spring, the North American Mission Board (NAMB) used this same concept with their emphasis on Baptist associations – “Live with Urgency: Seize Your Divine Moment.” 

When you consider either or both of these phrases, they make a great deal of sense for individuals, for local churches, and for associations.  We have all spoken of “open doors” regarding opportunities that are placed before us for employment, education, a major purchase, or any type of new or fresh direction.  And yet, we have all been slow at times in realizing what we needed to do, and the open door became a closed door before we acted.

In my responsibility with Denton Baptist Association, I have seen opportunities to build a stronger relationship with a pastor, to challenge a church to a greater level of service, or to lead the association to a totally different approach to ministry.  Sometimes I have seized that divine moment and we have experienced together

the blessings that God poured out.  On other occasions I have been fearful or hesitant or too cautious and missed out on what God was offering.  My best guess is that most of us, if not all of us, have our own stories of seizing the moment and others of not seizing it.

Today might be a great day to seize.  It might be the divine moment to change an attitude.  It might be the divine moment to start a new ministry that would touch people in the community.  It might be the divine moment to take a leap of faith and respond to God’s open door rather than waiting until the door has closed.  “Carpe diem! Live with urgency.”