Living in the Present: A Constant Struggle
I think I was born impatient. After all, my dad missed my birth because I was in such a hurry to join the world! Ever since, I've wanted to do the next thing as soon as possible, and waiting is not exactly my strong suit.
Since I've admitted that, I'll go on to say that I believe my lack of patience has led to my not living in the present very well. It's gotten especially worse as I've gotten older; after all, with so many awesome plans ahead of me after high school, how am I supposed to focus on the now?
I have at least one friend who is sharing this dilemma with me, so I promised I would do some Bible research and listen to what God would tell me on the subject and write a post on it so that maybe it would help it sink in, since, apparently even our youth pastor doing a sermon on it didn't. So here is my promised post.
I'm going to be writing this post around Steffany Gretzinger's song "Getting There." The lyrics in italics are completely hers.
Further seems forever until you've seen, until you get there until you feel that promised land beneath your feet. Isn't that the truth! In my mind I see all the places I am going, all the things I want to do for my God, but it's all later, it's a little further in my life than now. It does feel like forever, but yet, it really isn't, because time flies and it will be here soon enough. Though it's hard to remind myself of that, it is true. James 4:14 says, "Whereas ye know not what shall be on the morrow. For what is your life? It is even a vapour, that appeareth for a little time, and then vanisheth away." In all reality, the time we have to wait is not even that long. Our lives are short, but it just doesn't seem that way to us because we cannot quite understand the concept of forever since everything here on earth is finite.
Lesson 1 Summary: We shouldn't feel the need to rush along time when it is already going faster than we realize. It'll be here soon enough!
There's a reason for the journey there is purpose in the learning. I've often found that while you're waiting for something is when God teaches you best. I believe that's one of the reasons why God makes us wait - because we're not ready yet, and He needs to make sure we're ready. How many times in the Bible do we read about God preparing His children for His service? As much as I dislike school (well, high school, that is), I have to admit that God has used classes, projects, people I meet there, to teach me lessons, to open my eyes. I've heard comforting words from God during gym class, I've prayed for fellow classmates, I've had a distressing and frustrating physics project show me more of the goodness of God. As much as I don't want to remember, there is always something that God can teach me while I'm waiting, because I have so much to learn! Be it spiritual learning or actual academic learning, or a mixture of the two, there is always a purpose. We should always have the attitude of King David in Psalm 25:5 - "Lead me in thy truth, and teach me: for thou art the God of my salvation; on thee do I wait all the day."
Lesson 2 Summary: Even when you're excited for something amazing, God still has to prepare you for it and we always have so much to learn. God doesn't make us wait for nothing!
Not everything in life comes naturally no, not everything in life comes easily. No kidding! It's certainly not easy to live in the present. We tend to always look forward to things that are coming up and jump from one thing to the next, never stopping to appreciate what we have now. I think our thoughts are the hardest things to control, especially when it's racing ahead to all the things we want to do. Philippians 4:8-9 says, "Finally, brethren, whatsoever things are true, whatsoever things are honest, whatsoever things are just, whatsoever things are pure, whatsoever things are lovely, whatsoever things are of good report; if there be any virtue, and if there be any praise, think on these things. Those things, which ye have both learned, and received, and heard, and seen in me, do: and the God of peace shall be with you."
Lesson 3 Summary: Keep your thoughts pointed to God in the now, even though it's hard, and realize all that He is teaching you, and "the God of peace shall be with you."
We're determined to discover all that You have hidden for us along the way. God has all kinds of awesome things for us day by day, besides teaching us what we need to learn. Think of your parents. They didn't save up everything for you to give you when you're an adult; no, they spread out their love and affection and gifts throughout your life, with surprises here and there. God is our perfect Father, so how could He do any less? If we're waiting for the "big thing" in our lives, God's not going to just let us sit there waiting for it, but continues to lavish His love on us every day. Don't miss out on the blessings that God wants to give you today! If we're too busy standing on our tiptoes to try and get a glimpse of our future that we're waiting for, we're going to miss the blessings that God provides that would normally be right in front of our eyes, but are now below our line of vision. Also, there are countless opportunities that God presents us with each day, and I am sorry to say that I, too, miss them much too often. Galatians 6:10 says, "As we have therefore opportunity, let us do good unto all men, especially unto them who are of the household of faith." We always can find someone to encourage, which will in turn encourage us. You never know when God has us in a situation where just living our lives in accordance to His will is being a witness to one or more people. We are told in Matthew 5:16, "Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works, and glorify your Father which is in heaven." You never know who's watching! We need to make the most of every day for God, because He puts people in our lives every day, I am sure of it, who He wants to bless or speak to, and He wants us to be a part of it. Ephesians 5:15-16 tells us to be wise and to "redeem the time," or make the most of every opportunity. Are we doing that? Or is life and all its hidden treasures passing beneath our noses?
Lesson 4 Summary: Take note of all the opportunities and blessings that God presents to you every single day. We are meant to experience every day, not just survive through it!
Every day begins with mercy every moment filled with beauty. According to Lamentations 3:22-23, God's mercies are new every morning. Each day has a new start! Each day is important, with its own purpose. There are many, many Biblical figures who lived day by day, waiting for what God had promised them or what they dreamed of. Abraham lived like a nomad, traveling here and there, and desired the promised son that God said would make a nation, all while keeping faith. Joseph had dreams of his brothers bowing down to him, and instead was sold away from his family, all the while remaining faithful to God. Daniel, though kidnapped and brought to Babylon, kept God's teachings and often stood up to the kings of that land by doing so. There are many more examples, but here are just a few. The best part is, God kept those promises and fulfilled those dreams. Abraham's descendants became the chosen children of Israel. Joseph became right-hand man to the King of Egypt and saved many, his own family included, from starvation and did see his brothers bow down to him. Daniel was rewarded for daily living by God's commands and was saved from many things, including the famous den of lions. There is beauty, even if it is only revealed or realized later on, in living in the present mercies that are given us. Remember that, "They that wait upon the Lord shall renew their strength; they shall mount up with wings as eagles; they shall run, and not be weary; and they shall walk, and not faint." (Isaiah 40:31) Rest in the assurance, as so many have shown us, that God's timing is perfect! He has shown me that in many different ways in past years, but somehow I seem to forget now and then and He has to remind me. Though Matthew 6:34 is usually used to talk against worrying, it really applies in this context as well. "Take therefore no thought for the morrow: for the morrow shall take thought for the things of itself. Sufficient unto the day is the evil thereof."
Lesson 6 Summary: Every day is important to the whole picture, and each day God's mercies are new to help us to accomplish what God calls us to in the here and now. His timing is perfect in all things.
Your presence is the joy set before us for now all all eternity. Most importantly, we must live in the present because God's presence is always there. I don't know about you, but I need ever more of that Holy Presence in my life. In Psalm 16:11 David writes, "Thou wilt shew me the path of life: in thy presence is fulness of joy; at thy right hand there are pleasures for evermore." All we need day by day is this presence, which gives us joy - the joy we need to live in the present in a God-honoring fashion. Take the rest of the Psalms, for instance - David obviously found God's presence in day to day life, as we read everything that goes on in David's life as he pours himself out to God. Striving to stay in the presence of God each day will make the rest of these lessons possible, as we all need God to do anything with our lives, to be anything. He makes us what we are, and without Him we cannot enjoy each day that He provides us with. Paul was very confident in living each day, no matter what it brought, in the presence of his Savior. In Philippians 1:20 he say, "According to my earnest expectation and my hope, that in nothing I shall be ashamed, but that with all boldness, as always, so now also Christ shall be magnified in my body, whether it be by life, or by death." No matter what Paul got thrown at him, he just wanted to live out his life for Christ no matter what, which meant staying in tune with the presence of God. He was not ashamed or upset at where he found himself, and we shouldn't be either.
Lesson 7 Summary: To completely be joyful in whatever stage of life we are in, we need to always seek out the presence of God, because that is where joy and life and freedom begin and end, no matter what.
There is a lot more I could find to say, I'm sure, but I will just end with this verse and let you contemplate what the Lord has inspired me to write on this subject that I, too, find myself having to work very hard at.
Psalm 118:24 says, "This is the day which the Lord hath made; we will rejoice and be glad in it."
So go and rejoice in each and every day that the Lord has created for you to enjoy.
Since I've admitted that, I'll go on to say that I believe my lack of patience has led to my not living in the present very well. It's gotten especially worse as I've gotten older; after all, with so many awesome plans ahead of me after high school, how am I supposed to focus on the now?
I have at least one friend who is sharing this dilemma with me, so I promised I would do some Bible research and listen to what God would tell me on the subject and write a post on it so that maybe it would help it sink in, since, apparently even our youth pastor doing a sermon on it didn't. So here is my promised post.
I'm going to be writing this post around Steffany Gretzinger's song "Getting There." The lyrics in italics are completely hers.
Further seems forever until you've seen, until you get there until you feel that promised land beneath your feet. Isn't that the truth! In my mind I see all the places I am going, all the things I want to do for my God, but it's all later, it's a little further in my life than now. It does feel like forever, but yet, it really isn't, because time flies and it will be here soon enough. Though it's hard to remind myself of that, it is true. James 4:14 says, "Whereas ye know not what shall be on the morrow. For what is your life? It is even a vapour, that appeareth for a little time, and then vanisheth away." In all reality, the time we have to wait is not even that long. Our lives are short, but it just doesn't seem that way to us because we cannot quite understand the concept of forever since everything here on earth is finite.
Lesson 1 Summary: We shouldn't feel the need to rush along time when it is already going faster than we realize. It'll be here soon enough!
There's a reason for the journey there is purpose in the learning. I've often found that while you're waiting for something is when God teaches you best. I believe that's one of the reasons why God makes us wait - because we're not ready yet, and He needs to make sure we're ready. How many times in the Bible do we read about God preparing His children for His service? As much as I dislike school (well, high school, that is), I have to admit that God has used classes, projects, people I meet there, to teach me lessons, to open my eyes. I've heard comforting words from God during gym class, I've prayed for fellow classmates, I've had a distressing and frustrating physics project show me more of the goodness of God. As much as I don't want to remember, there is always something that God can teach me while I'm waiting, because I have so much to learn! Be it spiritual learning or actual academic learning, or a mixture of the two, there is always a purpose. We should always have the attitude of King David in Psalm 25:5 - "Lead me in thy truth, and teach me: for thou art the God of my salvation; on thee do I wait all the day."
Lesson 2 Summary: Even when you're excited for something amazing, God still has to prepare you for it and we always have so much to learn. God doesn't make us wait for nothing!
Not everything in life comes naturally no, not everything in life comes easily. No kidding! It's certainly not easy to live in the present. We tend to always look forward to things that are coming up and jump from one thing to the next, never stopping to appreciate what we have now. I think our thoughts are the hardest things to control, especially when it's racing ahead to all the things we want to do. Philippians 4:8-9 says, "Finally, brethren, whatsoever things are true, whatsoever things are honest, whatsoever things are just, whatsoever things are pure, whatsoever things are lovely, whatsoever things are of good report; if there be any virtue, and if there be any praise, think on these things. Those things, which ye have both learned, and received, and heard, and seen in me, do: and the God of peace shall be with you."
Lesson 3 Summary: Keep your thoughts pointed to God in the now, even though it's hard, and realize all that He is teaching you, and "the God of peace shall be with you."
We're determined to discover all that You have hidden for us along the way. God has all kinds of awesome things for us day by day, besides teaching us what we need to learn. Think of your parents. They didn't save up everything for you to give you when you're an adult; no, they spread out their love and affection and gifts throughout your life, with surprises here and there. God is our perfect Father, so how could He do any less? If we're waiting for the "big thing" in our lives, God's not going to just let us sit there waiting for it, but continues to lavish His love on us every day. Don't miss out on the blessings that God wants to give you today! If we're too busy standing on our tiptoes to try and get a glimpse of our future that we're waiting for, we're going to miss the blessings that God provides that would normally be right in front of our eyes, but are now below our line of vision. Also, there are countless opportunities that God presents us with each day, and I am sorry to say that I, too, miss them much too often. Galatians 6:10 says, "As we have therefore opportunity, let us do good unto all men, especially unto them who are of the household of faith." We always can find someone to encourage, which will in turn encourage us. You never know when God has us in a situation where just living our lives in accordance to His will is being a witness to one or more people. We are told in Matthew 5:16, "Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works, and glorify your Father which is in heaven." You never know who's watching! We need to make the most of every day for God, because He puts people in our lives every day, I am sure of it, who He wants to bless or speak to, and He wants us to be a part of it. Ephesians 5:15-16 tells us to be wise and to "redeem the time," or make the most of every opportunity. Are we doing that? Or is life and all its hidden treasures passing beneath our noses?
Lesson 4 Summary: Take note of all the opportunities and blessings that God presents to you every single day. We are meant to experience every day, not just survive through it!
We've tasted of Your goodness we know that You are for us. Along the same lines of the last lesson is the fact that God gave us a life to enjoy and He wants to enjoy it with us, because He is our Creator and Father who loves us so much! God did not create us and send His Son to die to redeem us with such unfathomable love just to drop us into life and have us wander through it alone. No, in the very beginning, in Genesis 3, we read how God was in the garden with Adam and Eve, he enjoyed being with them! Verse 8 starts out by saying that "They heard the voice of the Lord God walking in the garden in the cool of the day." He loves His people! Jesus hung out with everyone (well, except the Pharisees, unless it was to scold them), and just loved on people and went through their lives with them. God is the same yesterday, today, and tomorrow, so that means He still wants to be with us! He is for us. He does not want to see us miserable every day because we're so focused on something that's ahead of us that we can't see His love for us now, right here in our present hour. Psalm 34:8 says, "O taste and see that the Lord is good: blessed is the man that trusteth in him." We have tasted and we have seen; now it is time to trust!
Lesson 5 Summary: God wants to spend today with you, and wants you to enjoy every day that He has created for you! We must remember to trust in His goodness.
Every day begins with mercy every moment filled with beauty. According to Lamentations 3:22-23, God's mercies are new every morning. Each day has a new start! Each day is important, with its own purpose. There are many, many Biblical figures who lived day by day, waiting for what God had promised them or what they dreamed of. Abraham lived like a nomad, traveling here and there, and desired the promised son that God said would make a nation, all while keeping faith. Joseph had dreams of his brothers bowing down to him, and instead was sold away from his family, all the while remaining faithful to God. Daniel, though kidnapped and brought to Babylon, kept God's teachings and often stood up to the kings of that land by doing so. There are many more examples, but here are just a few. The best part is, God kept those promises and fulfilled those dreams. Abraham's descendants became the chosen children of Israel. Joseph became right-hand man to the King of Egypt and saved many, his own family included, from starvation and did see his brothers bow down to him. Daniel was rewarded for daily living by God's commands and was saved from many things, including the famous den of lions. There is beauty, even if it is only revealed or realized later on, in living in the present mercies that are given us. Remember that, "They that wait upon the Lord shall renew their strength; they shall mount up with wings as eagles; they shall run, and not be weary; and they shall walk, and not faint." (Isaiah 40:31) Rest in the assurance, as so many have shown us, that God's timing is perfect! He has shown me that in many different ways in past years, but somehow I seem to forget now and then and He has to remind me. Though Matthew 6:34 is usually used to talk against worrying, it really applies in this context as well. "Take therefore no thought for the morrow: for the morrow shall take thought for the things of itself. Sufficient unto the day is the evil thereof."
Lesson 6 Summary: Every day is important to the whole picture, and each day God's mercies are new to help us to accomplish what God calls us to in the here and now. His timing is perfect in all things.
Your presence is the joy set before us for now all all eternity. Most importantly, we must live in the present because God's presence is always there. I don't know about you, but I need ever more of that Holy Presence in my life. In Psalm 16:11 David writes, "Thou wilt shew me the path of life: in thy presence is fulness of joy; at thy right hand there are pleasures for evermore." All we need day by day is this presence, which gives us joy - the joy we need to live in the present in a God-honoring fashion. Take the rest of the Psalms, for instance - David obviously found God's presence in day to day life, as we read everything that goes on in David's life as he pours himself out to God. Striving to stay in the presence of God each day will make the rest of these lessons possible, as we all need God to do anything with our lives, to be anything. He makes us what we are, and without Him we cannot enjoy each day that He provides us with. Paul was very confident in living each day, no matter what it brought, in the presence of his Savior. In Philippians 1:20 he say, "According to my earnest expectation and my hope, that in nothing I shall be ashamed, but that with all boldness, as always, so now also Christ shall be magnified in my body, whether it be by life, or by death." No matter what Paul got thrown at him, he just wanted to live out his life for Christ no matter what, which meant staying in tune with the presence of God. He was not ashamed or upset at where he found himself, and we shouldn't be either.
Lesson 7 Summary: To completely be joyful in whatever stage of life we are in, we need to always seek out the presence of God, because that is where joy and life and freedom begin and end, no matter what.
There is a lot more I could find to say, I'm sure, but I will just end with this verse and let you contemplate what the Lord has inspired me to write on this subject that I, too, find myself having to work very hard at.
Psalm 118:24 says, "This is the day which the Lord hath made; we will rejoice and be glad in it."
So go and rejoice in each and every day that the Lord has created for you to enjoy.
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