In the Moment

Have you ever stopped to think how our “instant gratification society” steals our opportunities to live in the moment ?

What if at the end of our lives, we got a record of how many important interactions we missed because we were too busy looking at our phone or doing meaningless things?

I’m guilty.

Or what if instead of living in the moment, you’re too stuck living in the past? Maybe you just get so caught up dwelling on all the things you’ve done wrong rather than letting forgiveness and grace take over.

Or….maybe you spend too much time living in the future. Maybe that’s all you focus on - your future interactions, your future family, your future education. 

But what does God say? What does he say about living in the past, present, and/or future?

LIVING IN THE PAST:

Just because our past has shaped who we are now does not mean that we are defined by our past mistakes - and we definitely aren’t supposed to dwell on them. BUT just because we shouldn’t dwell on our past mistakes DOES NOT mean we should not remember them. We need to remember our past because it reminds us of how far we have come, how far reaching God’s grace and forgiveness is, and how much He loves us even through our worst times. 

2 Corinthians 5:17 - Therefore if any man is in Christ, he is a new creature: old things are passed away; all things become new. 

**We are not to forget everything, however, in the sense of being oblivious to it. In fact, there are many times God instructs us to remember.

In Deuteronomy 9 Moses tells the Israelites to “remember this and never forget how you aroused the anger of the Lord your God in the wilderness. From the day you left Egypt until you arrived here, you have been rebellious against the Lord.” We are encouraged to remember all God has done for us.

LIVING IN THE FUTURE:  

Time is so precious! This moment right now will never come back again! 

When we live today, we need to keep the future in mind. When we make decisions, we need to think about how they might affect our future. 

But we aren’t supposed to live IN the future or FOR the future!

We can LOOK to the future, but still live in the present. 

When we look back tomorrow on what we did today, will we be satisfied in knowing that we did what we could for the Lord?

Live today with eternity in mind, but don’t forget to live today. 

Matthew 6:34 Therefore do not worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will worry about itself. Each day has enough trouble of its own.

LIVING IN THE PRESENT:

Mary did. Mary could have missed the Lord’s presence in her life, but she didn’t. Why? Because she trusted Him with all the things that were h=out of her control. 

The Lord longs for us to live in the moment, because it’s where he does some of His best work. Living in the moment engages us in HIs will. 

No matter where you are or who you are with in that moment - laugh with them, cry with them, listen to them, play with them, pray for them. Turn off all the noise and distractions and value the time that you have!Discipline your mind to be present!

Trust the Lord with all the impossible outcomes that are in store for you! Master living in the moment with God’s discipline. 

Love others in the moment. Live for God in the moment.