As a culture, we jump from one thing to the next. Although we have all heard of studies telling us to stop multitasking and to generally slow down and smell the roses – few of us do.
In fact, it’s not just common, but actually encouraged and a badge of honor to say how busy or tired you are – as if you’re doing something wrong if you’re not.
However, the way people try to fix this is just as damaging.
I’ve heard many people encourage others to “live in the moment” and to simply “follow their heart” and ignore all repercussions of the future and to simply live IN the present and live FOR the present.
And that is just as wrong.
We can’t simply go to the other extreme of not only living in the present but also living for the present without dire consequences.
But we also can’t continue through life at break-neck speed without suffering just as many consequences.
So here’s our solution. It’s not easy to do, but it really is this simple:
Live in the present.
Breathe.
Slow down, work with, and enjoy what’s in front of you right now.
Live for the future.
Keep in mind the overall trajectory of your life.
For the Christian, this is ultimately living out what Jesus meant when He said to “Seek first the Kingdom of God” (Matthew 6:33). We are called to live in the world, but not of this world (1 John 2:15-17).
Does your life right now reflect what you want to be “living for” or do you need to course correct?
Take inventory and start now
What is the future you’re living for?
Does your life reflect it?
Does your calendar, hobbies, budget, lifestyle reflect what you want to be “living for”?
Are you living in the present?
Or are you constantly hurried in life?
And not able to even enjoy the path you’re on?
The perfect example
It’s amazing to look at Jesus Who was “about His Father’s business” (Luke 2:49) and had “done everything the Father had given Him” (John 17:4) yet never seemed hurried or rushed.
Clearly He had a lot on His plate and He did many things, but He was never consumed and rushed and overwhelmed by them.
We too, can be about the work God has for us,
We too, can complete all that God has given us to do,
And without becoming stressed out, overworked, unable-to-stop-to-smell-the-roses people.
By His grace and transforming us to become more like Himself,
We too can become like Jesus in this way.
As you reflect on how God would have you live in the now, and for the future differently, I thought this a perfect passage to read, reflect and pray that God would cause us to be a people who live in the moment and live for His Kingdom.
“Therefore I tell you, do not be anxious about your life, what you will eat or what you will drink, nor about your body, what you will put on. Is not life more than food, and the body more than clothing?
Look at the birds of the air: they neither sow nor reap nor gather into barns, and yet your heavenly Father feeds them. Are you not of more value than they?
And which of you by being anxious can add a single hour to his span of life?
And why are you anxious about clothing? Consider the lilies of the field, how they grow: they neither toil nor spin, yet I tell you, even Solomon in all his glory was not arrayed like one of these.
But if God so clothes the grass of the field, which today is alive and tomorrow is thrown into the oven, will he not much more clothe you, O you of little faith?
Therefore do not be anxious, saying, ‘What shall we eat?’ or ‘What shall we drink?’ or ‘What shall we wear?’
For the Gentiles seek after all these things, and your heavenly Father knows that you need them all.But seek first the kingdom of God and his righteousness, and all these things will be added to you.
Therefore do not be anxious about tomorrow, for tomorrow will be anxious for itself. Sufficient for the day is its own trouble.”
Matthew 6:25–34