Now
Yesterday, as I was leaving the office, I ran into someone who knew me, but I didn't know them (I get that an awful lot). We chatted about a message I did a couple years ago. The conversation quickly turned to the weather and how we were having an absolutely gorgeous day. Now this wasn't small talk; this was real talk because in the middle of winter and what has turned out to be a brutal and bitter one, God blessed us with a 56 degree, sun-filled, azure sky, day. It was a beautiful day. All was right with the world. But, I quickly turned the conversation to tomorrow's weather, which was going to be 31 degrees.
As soon as I thought and said it, I felt the conviction of the Holy Spirit. He said to me:"Why are you fantasizing about tomorrow instead of being fully present today? Oooooh, I was busted! Have you ever found yourself not being fully present in the moment? You know,
- Planning work in your head while talking with your spouse
- Checking email, blogging or twittering or "facebooking" while helping your kids with their homework (No wonder they got that big old "F" on the last assignment).
- When your son/daughter has to call your name 10 times before you actually hear them
- "In a minute, son"
- "Maybe"
I think this happens because we have a tendency to live in the "when and then" instead of the now, and in the world of good intentions, instead of real time action.
When I get my money right, then . . .
When we get a bigger house, then . . .
When I finish school, then . . .
When I have time, then . . .
When I finish this last sentence, then . . .
When my program goes off, then . . .
When the game is over, then . . .
I think you get the point. The problem with when-then and good intention living, is that most times when never comes and good intentions remain inactivity. Also, when I fantasize about the future, precious moments and experiences of today slip away. Then we wonder where has life gone and how did it pass us by so quickly.
Because our life is a vapor, a mist, here today and gone today (James 4:14), let's lean into life, live in the moment, and be fully present. This means that I am totally immersed in today's experience instead of fantasizing about the future – when things will get better. Always fantasizing about a better future, implies something is wrong with now, today. Now, this moment is a gracious gift from God, and I believe God wants us to be fully present in it and savor each morsel.
What about you? Tell me what you think?
Popularity: 8% [?]
Tags: Fully Present
February 11th, 2009 at 11:09 am
I enjoyed reading this so much! Thanks for the reminder to live in the present… to enjoy the “right now”. It is easy to get caught up in dreaming (in my case, obsessing) about tomorrow.
Like my mom says “tomorrow is not promised to you hunny, just focus on right now”!
February 12th, 2009 at 9:24 am
Abssolutely! I know I do this all the time. Always preparing, but never seeming to reach “that moment.” I did the exact same thing with the weather, and I too, was quickly convicted about how we complain, complain, complained about the cold and snow, but when it was beautiful, (which I think God graciously gave us a break knowing that we had had ENOUGH) I forgot to say Thank you as quickly as I would have complained. So, I really do thank God for RIGHT NOW! Blessings…