God is most present in this moment
If endings are for gratitude, and beginnings are for faith, what are middles for?
Or are there middles?
As I keep pressing into Now (my One Word 2015), one thing I’m learning is that this moment is never a throw-away.
It’s not a space to suspend while you wait for something better.
This moment is not to be wasted. It is to be filled.
Yes, we still anticipate change for moments yet to come. And we still look back on moments past to reminisce.
But in this very moment—regardless of what bad or good things are also in it—we are to live joyfully, to love flamboyantly, to believe zealously.
This is the moment God is most present in our lives.
It is the ending of one thing, whether we understand why or not (thank God for it).
It is the beginning of a new thing, however large or small (grasp grace that accompanies it).
There is enough in this moment.
Celebrate now.
* * *
Do you look back more, look ahead more, or do you stay mostly in this moment? Let’s discuss in the comments.
- Don’t look directly at the sun
- Devotionals for James 1
Weirdly, I blogged on something very close to this subject (went live last night at http://blessed-are-the-pure-of-heart.blogspot.com/2015/07/your-dying-spouse-32-broken-but-loved.html).
To wit, we all seem to have a tendency to hate the Now because it seems broken to us, and it may indeed be broken.
But we should love it in spite of that (not necessarily BECAUSE of that!), because…well, because if we don’t, how then can we be expected to be loved, though broken?
I have trouble living in the “now.” I’m always looking forward to next. My sister got me an art piece that says, “Live in the moment and make it so beautiful that it will be worth remembering.” Thank you for reminding me to “fill my moments” today.
I’m trying to become much more aware of the singular moments in my life, Lisa. There are so many good ones that whisk past me and then I’m pining for another just like it! I think if I gave more attention to that good moment in my day, I’d feel more grateful and satisfied. God is so good! Thanks for this Monday inspiration, my friend!
“Be still and know that I am God.” That verse seems to call us to focus on the present moment, to intentionally stop and absorb the life pulsing through our veins (regardless of what emotion we may be experiencing). This moment is the only one we’re guaranteed, and I for one have spent too much of my life in years past wishing it away for “bigger and better” things. Ingrained habits are hard to break, but I’m learning that this is one worth breaking… and so I continue to be intentional about not waiting for “the end” for gratitude, but practicing it right now—in the moment… even on days when the picture seems bleak. Tomorrow will be here soon enough, but Today is full of moments to be experienced and treasured. Great reminder!
Oh dear, I am definitely a *look ahead* person. Fear does that to me. It makes me gaze into the vast unknown of the future, and become gripped with the anticipatory *what-ifs*. I am a worst-case scenario obsessor. I am not at all proud of this. Rather, this is my continual thorn. Battling against worry and crippling anxiety. But…this is NOT where God calls us to live! We are given daily bread for THIS day. He tells us NOT to worry about tomorrow. We are called to focus on JESUS, not the future. Perhaps for me, now means truly living like I believe Romans 8:28:
“And we know that for those who love God all things work together for good, for those who are called according to his purpose.” (ESV)
Thanks for this today, Lisa. It made me ponder anew…
GOD BLESS!
Gratitude … for beginnings, right smack dab of what’s happening now, and for our future hope!
Thanks, Lisa! I’m encouraged here today …
Hugs.
I love your word for 2015. And, yes, here we are in the middle. Now. Challenged by your words to press into now with gratitude and faith.
A mentor in college told me the saying, “Present moment, precious moment.” It’s taken me a long time to grow into it, but I’m starting to get it more and more. Jesus’ ministry so often drew people into his presence in the present. Yes, God is here now.
I don’t always like the middle, especially if I’m struggling. I want it to pass quickly because of the pain, but I agree with you–God is there profoundly and He’s in the pain big time. I like to look back except when the memories are distasteful and looking forward gives me hope! Wow, I’ve got some work to do–thanks, Lisa!
This encourages me tonight! So often, I find myself wishing parts of my life away. But this time right now, it’s sacred, and I must learn to be more grateful for it.
Love that quote from John Piper and your words, of course. Lots of wisdom in “there is a enough in this moment.” Thanks Lisa
Oh – that wait. It’s a hard place. Especially in an instsant-gratification culture. He took me deep into the wait, though. Stood with me. Sat with me. It’s where I learned to ask him to just “be with me” – and it is in that wait where I discovered the most important part of living relationship with Him is!
Love that Piper quote! I allowed myself a little looking back as I wrote my blog this week about my baby turning 16 (I think us moms are allowed to do that once in a while), but I also am very aware of making the most of the present. Every day is such a gift, and most days we take that gift for granted. Much to be done for the Kingdom 🙂 Thanks for this today, Lisa!
Good advice and reminder, Lisa. We tend to get so caught up in the beginnings and endings that we miss the beauty in the journey itself. The gratification of beginnings and endings mean nothing without the ups and downs in the journey. Timely post for me, sister. Thanks.
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