By Jim MacDonald
Making Your Day a Masterpiece
The legendary John Wooden is quoted as saying: “Make each day your masterpiece.” Would your life be better if you started each day reading that statement and putting it into practice? How much better would your marriage and parenting be if you began each day with the intention of making the day a masterpiece?
We experience challenges every day—but if you’re determined to make the day a masterpiece, you’ll approach the opportunity differently. Face the challenge with: “I’m going to make this day a masterpiece.” The situation will lose its sharp edges right off the bat.
When handling the challenge with the same fortitude you’ve always used, quickly pick yourself up and make the rest of the day a masterpiece. When your head hits the pillow that night, the challenge won’t bear the same sting had you let the remainder of the day get away.
In Ephesians 5:15-16, Paul writes: “Be very careful, then, how you live—not as unwise but as wise, making the most of every opportunity, because the days are evil.”
Paraphrasing: Paul says to deal with the “opportunity” wisely, then move on and make the rest of the day a masterpiece.
Wooden continues: you can’t give 50% effort today and think it’s ok because you’ll “give 150% tomorrow” to make up for it. You can only give 100% or less today and the same tomorrow. What you leave on the table is gone—you can’t get it back. Tomorrow becomes another day.
The day Jesus died on the cross, He had a day like no other. Betrayed and was later rejected by His friends. Faced a judge, (Pontius Pilot) and convicted by ‘We’ the jury. Beaten beyond recognition by Roman soldiers, spit on by the crowd, mocked, and given a thorny crown. He was then nailed to a cross and died. Thankfully for us, our days can’t get much worse than that.
Jesus made the rest of the day a masterpiece
Jesus finished the day, making it a true masterpiece by saying: “Father, forgive them, for they do not know what they are doing.” –Luke 23:34. And later stating: “Father, into your hands I commit my spirit.”
At that moment, Jesus covered His follower’s sins with His blood. Praise God, Jesus made a masterpiece of that day for our sake.
There’s no better example of how to make each day a masterpiece regardless of the challenges we face. Now, throw your burdens at the foot of the cross and look to God—your challenges will become insignificant.
So, how do we make the day a masterpiece when Paul told us “the days are evil”?
Wake up each morning with the intention to make the day a masterpiece—there’s no telling where you’ll be in 5 years if you do.
Place John Wooden’s quote at various locations such as:
- Your refrigerator door
- Your bathroom mirrors
- The door you exit when going to work
- The screen saver of your phone
- At your office computer or locker
Before going to bed, ask yourself two questions:
- How did I make this day a masterpiece?
- How will I make tomorrow a masterpiece?
Then rest peacefully.
Next, start a journal and record the achievements you made of the day. Like a beautiful painting, it’s framed and admired for its workmanship and beauty. You invested 24 hours into your day to make it a masterpiece, record it, and admire it later.
When you look back at your journal down the road, you’ll be absolutely amazed at the impact you made on yours and countless other lives. Imagine the legacy you created with your spouse and children. But more importantly, you’ll see how God moved in your life–and have a written document of a true MASTERPIECE.
Go out and make your day a masterpiece.