Stay in the Moment
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. Are you fully engaged, making the most of each moment, loving your family, appreciating the simple things in life? Or are you in yesterday? Are you in tomorrow? The reason some relationships are not healthy is that you come home from work, but your mind is somewhere else. You play with your child, but you are in tomorrow, thinking about how you are going to accomplish that goal. You go to the office, and your body is there, but your mind is in yesterday, thinking about what you should have done better.
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 right now. I know people who lost what they had while going after what they wanted. They were so intent on doing great things that they took their family for granted. They came home, but they weren't there. They were distracted, thinking about what's next. Always planning for the future, they never came into the present.
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.
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 right now. I know people who lost what they had while going after what they wanted. They were so intent on doing great things that they took their family for granted. They came home, but they weren't there. They were distracted, thinking about what's next. Always planning for the future, they never came into the present.
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.