Several years ago, Victoria and I were able to spend a few days in Paris on an overseas trip. Before we left home, we put an offer in for a beautiful house that we really wanted to buy. When we arrived in Paris, the first thing we did was call our realtor and ask if she’d heard anything. She said nothing. The next morning, same thing. During the day, as we walked the streets of Paris, the whole time we were talking about that house. We were in Paris, but we weren’t really there. Our minds were in the future. We could have been making the most of that moment, enjoying the sights, but because we were so focused on what we wanted, we missed what we had. If I could go back now, I would say, “Joel, enjoy where you are. Be present. While you’re waiting for the future, stay in the now.” What’s funny is that house got sold to someone else anyway.
So often our mind is either in the past, focused on what didn’t work out, who did us wrong, mistakes we’ve made. Or it’s in the future, thinking about our goals, worried about our finances, anxious about our health. The problem with being in the past or being in the future is that you miss the present. David said, “This is the day the Lord has made; let us rejoice and be glad in it” (Psalm 118:24). Today is a gift from God. If you’re going to be fulfilled, you have to show up for life, meaning you have to be there when you get there. Don’t show up and be in the future, worried about how it’s going to work out. Don’t show up and be in the past, living in regrets, dwelling on your disappointments. Come into today. Yes, it’s good to have goals and vision, but you can’t be so focused on what’s next that you miss what you have now.
At home, are you present, eating dinner with the family, but not connected? Are you engaged, making the most of the moments? Or are you in tomorrow, hoping you’ll get the contract, worried about your business, wondering how your finances are going to work out? Are you in yesterday, upset over the disappointment, bitter over who hurt you, thinking about what they said? You’re missing the beauty of this day. Once we live this day, we can’t get it back. Don’t take for granted all the good things in your life right now. Get connected. Enjoy where you are. Take time for the people God has given you. The dreams will come to pass in due season. The problems will resolve in God’s timing. Worrying about them or your goals doesn’t make them work out any sooner. Stay in the moment.