As a teenager, I remember grown ups talking gloriously of
how it was in the “old days.” They
would talk about how this, that, or the other was so much better back then
compared to now.
“When I was growing up…”
“Life was better when...”
“Back in the day we used to…”
And as I have grown older, I have caught myself at times
doing the same thing; sharing fairy-tale sized stories of my own “days gone by”
and the bigger than life exploits of my yesteryears. Yesterday was all that. Right?
On the other side of the pendulum, as an adolescent, I had a
great optimism about the future—bright, bold, and full of promise. This appeared no more prominently than
in my great ability to procrastinate.
Whether it was household chores or the earth science project for class
or brushing my teeth, I was almost genius in my ability to put off until later,
practically anything. It was a
real skill.
Even as an adult, I can put off packing a suitcase, cleaning
the garage, or getting on the treadmill almost indefinitely. There’s always tomorrow. Right?
In his book, Today Matters, leadership guru John Maxwell,
outlines well my plight, and maybe you share my predicament:
- We over exaggerate yesterday – past failures and successes
- We overestimate tomorrow – things will get better, I will do it tomorrow
- We underestimate today – don’t recognize today’s potential and value
True. In my
more honest moments, I would confess to have squandered more than my share of
todays. Fondly framing yesterday
and/or putting off until tomorrow, I’ve missed the power and precious jewel of
today.
By embracing today, I have opportunity to form history that
shines legacy. If I embrace today,
I foster a tomorrow that fills with hope and joy. Exaggerating the past and overestimating the future are
distortions that, at their very best are fantasy—at their very worst provoke
anxiety. All the while, what I
have in my hands is…today.
So what might I do to harness the potential and value of
today? Matthew 6:33 [CEV]
suggests, “But more than anything else, put GOD’s work first and do what He
wants. Then the other things will be yours as well.”
More than the future or the past, seek first Christ’s
kingdom and His righteousness…right now. Today.
Today, I want to be in His story, not merely idolizing history.
Today, I want to be in this moment, not putting off real life to some day.
Today, I want to be all about Christ Jesus, because He holds all
of it—
My past.
My future.
My present.
Today, I want to be present.
“Do not look back and grieve over the past, for it is gone; and do not be troubled about the future, for it has yet to come. Live in the present, and make it so beautiful that it will be worth remembering” –Ida Scott Taylor
May you and I live in the present, love in the present, and
discover the gift of the present…today.
Encounter Prayer:
Christ Jesus, let today be for Your fame. May I seek after what is most important
to You and find delight in the freedom to embrace this moment for Your
glory. Whatever You decide to give
me is great, but for right now, let me give you today. Amen.
Encounter:
- What does it mean to you to “seek first Christ’s kingdom and His righteousness?” Beyond the religious stock answers, what are some practical ways to do this?
- Amidst what you have planned for today, what will offer you chances to seek Christ Jesus’ kingdom?
- How might you “Be Present” today?
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