As I read Day 4’s devotion, I pondered the question at the end of the chapter—“What should I start doing and what should I stop?” My answer may be somewhat ironic after a whole chapter whose purpose was to promote long-term thinking. My answer is simply this: to spend more time in the present and quit focusing on the future. I am ALWAYS thinking long-term and to my detriment because most of the time I am playing out “what if” scenarios and trying to guard against the day everything will fall apart (why I fear it will fall apart requires a deep foray into my childhood…) . I can be so busy hedging my bets that I am not really living at all. I am missing God in the moment.
So, I have committed to living in the present and paying attention to today rather than fearing, calculating, and planning for tomorrow. It is not that I do not plan, that would be unwise, but I take better care of today rather than wasting energy stressing about tomorrow. Jesus said, “Today’s trouble is enough for today” (Matt. 6:34b). And what I am finding out is that I am enjoying this life more and preparing better for the next. It is making me more sensitive the voice of God and the movement of the Holy Spirit in my life. I seek to discern what God is saying, doing, and prompting me to do today. It makes me strive to be more obedient in the moment rather than planning on being obedient later (you know, when it’s more convenient or better yet, if I wait it out long enough, maybe God will forget…and if you buy that one, I have a bridge for you!) This present thinking makes me presently available to God and the way I figure it, if I can walk with God today (and the days that follow) I’ll automatically arrive at eternity with God. That’s my plan…what do you think?
-Rev. Raquel ( aka #1 Superguy)
Subscribe to:
Post Comments (Atom)
2 comments:
I think that sounds like a plan, Doc!
As I read today's devotion I got stuck on the phrase, "The most damaging aspect of contemporary living is short term thinking." Wow! So, as I think about this phrase in light of this blog I am led to the idea that not short term thinking, but small thinking is the down fall of our people! :) Additionally, I think that it is small thinking (worries, drama, one task after another) that steals away the gift of the 'present' from us! I too am feeling increasingly convicted to live life in the NOW! So, I want to laugh until I cry now, celebrate now, be happy now, follow Christ now, work for the kingdom now, enjoy myself now, love now, worship now, be hugged and give hugs now,mourn now, hope now, experience change now, grow now, learn now, and walk with Jesus now! All in the hopes that my now will lead me to a forever with God!
I agree with #1 Super Guy ;-)
I think that it has been "beaten" into us that you live for the future. You're told that your suppose to focus on the future and always have a forward thinking approach towards life. It's ironic in a sense because thinking about the futures gives us a purpose for pushing forward in the present. But like you said, when we do this we are missing out on what God has for us in the present. I to am going to try to "relax" the idea of constantly thinking about the future and try to live more in the now...
Post a Comment