Learning to Live in the Present
It was a God moment.
Occurring during a simple conversation, no fireworks or miracles present, and yet, it was pivotal for us both.
On a long overdue lunch date with my sweet sister friend, we let down our walls, opened up about our real-life struggles, and spoke from our hearts.
As I was sharing with her my recent difficulties, I discussed what I believe is the God-lesson I was saturated in…. learning to live in the present.
Maybe to you that sounds like a fairly simple task, after all we are beings that do not travel back in time, nor do we leap into the future…at least not physically. But our thoughts seem to all together have different time traveling abilities.
Even though we physically live in the present, in this very current moment, our minds spend the present dwelling on the past and being fearful about the future.
A sea of thoughts swirl through my mind at any given time, replaying mistakes made long ago, planning out endless details for the days to come, and worrying about my inadequacies and future needs.
These thoughts interrupt the present and I realize I am not really living in this moment at all. I am wasting it, preoccupied with moments that have already past or ones yet to come. This is most definitely not God’s plan for us to live this way. Instead, the Lord instructs us in a different way. He says, “Forget the former things; do not dwell on the past. See, I am doing a new thing! Now it springs up; do you not perceive it? I am making a way in the wilderness and streams in the wasteland.” Isaiah 43:18-19.
How I love these words! And oh to live in them and let them be my guide!
They speak such truth! They say forget the past! Don’t waste your time thinking about it, because I, your God am doing a new thing, don’t you see it?
The new thing God is doing is happening in this moment. And He is asking if you perceive it because He wants to wake you up to the present moment, to what He has for you right now. Because right now He is making a way, and He doesn’t want you to miss what He has for you in this moment.
But if we are preoccupied with time traveling thoughts, the sad truth is we will miss it, and waste the moment.
After sharing this deeply needed time with my friend, the Lord continued to plant this truth deeper into our hearts, and she went home that night and posted these words:
"If I dwell on the past, constantly looking behind me at what I should've, could've, would've done...
If I am anxious and fearful of what the future will hold...
If I believe the words that tell me I am 'less than'......
I will miss the present moment. It is in this moment, right now that heaven touches earth; God speaks to me and says, through multiple voices, songs, pictures...
"You are made in my image. You are a child of the King. You are beautiful. You are forgiven. You are redeemed. You are my treasured possession, a masterpiece and my delight. You are called to shine my light into the dark. You are protected by my angels. I am holding you in the palm of my hand, and through me, you can do all things. Be strong and courageous. Be still and know..."
I love these words. I love this woman. I love this truth. And right now I am alive, and I love this moment.
How about you? Are you living in the present? Or are your thoughts keeping you stuck in the past? Are your fears fast-forwarding you into a dark future, or are you opening yourself up to the beauty of the Lord in your life, in this moment?
Whatever your answer may be, I’m sure we can all agree that we need God’s constant help to live this way, let’s pray:
Dear Father God,
I need you. I need you to awaken my spirit to be attuned to you and what you have for me in this very moment of my life. Please help me live in the present, forgetting the past, and trusting you for the future. Help me perceive what you are doing, and create in me an awareness for what you are calling me to do in each moment of my life. Wash me in your love and peace, secure me in the truth of who I am in you, and guide me by your strong and mighty hand. Thank you, Father, for never letting me go. In Jesus name, Amen.
About the Author: Diane Swan
Diane Swan is a Credentialed Assemblies of God Minister, Licensed Professional Counselor, Speaker, and Writer who is passionate about helping ladies live victorious lives in Christ. Diane experienced the radical, transforming power of Christ through salvation at the age of twenty-six, and has since spent every day telling others about the redeeming, restoring, and renewing goodness of God.