Carpe Diem - Seize the Day

This morning brings the sad news of the death of US actor Robin Williams, at the age of 63. Although Williams played many roles throughout his career he will be remembered by many for his masterful performance as John Keating, the inspirational English teacher, in the 1989 film Dead Poets Society. At the heart of the film Mr Keating (played by Williams) encourages the boys in his class to reflect upon the passing nature of their lives and to 'seize the day' a line immortalised in the Latin motto 'Carpe diem'.

At the heart of the Bible is an acknowledgement that life is precious and that life is brief. In this context the Bible encourages us to 'receive each day', to receive each day as a gift from the God who has made us. Amidst all of the uncertainties, the challenges, the joys, the sorrows, the opportunities of life the Bible invites us to place each day back in the hands of this God that He may be our teacher and daily inspiration: ''Teach us to number our days, that we may gain a heart of wisdom.' (Psalm 90 verse 12)