Living In The Present

I realize that I haven’t been blogging much lately… it’s not that I don’t have anything to blog about; it’s not really even that I’m too busy to blog. Sometimes, I just don’t blog because I have too many things to blog about - too many ideas going on in my head - and I just can’t seem to slow down my thoughts long enough to pinpoint one of them and work it out into actual language that makes sense outside of my head.

It is 1 o'clock in the morning. And it is summer break. Why am I still up? And why in the world am I typing and trying to make my brain think when I could be all snuggled up in bed, dreaming about the future?

Call me strange if you want to, but I often view these late hours of the night (or early hours of the morning, depending on how you see it) as my “prime time.” For one thing, the house (or dorm room) is quiet; everyone else is asleep (or particularly focused on finishing homework) and there is nothing to distract me. For another thing, it is at these late hours that my brain starts to slow down… and even though it doesn’t work as well, it is able to focus on just one idea, rather than attempt to juggle 50 of them at once. Tonight, instead of “dreaming about the future,” I’m slowing my thoughts down, and thinking about living in the present.

I am realizing more and more that I rarely want to be in the present. I am often thinking about the future—anticipating future events and how my plans will play out, holding my breath till this event is done so I can go participate in that event, focusing on strenuous homework that I’ll have to get done later instead of enjoying the fun I’m having now—or about the past—how good old times were or how I wish I could re-do the past… The point is, I seldom recognize the present times and rarely experience joy while I am in them. Frequently, it is only in looking forward-to or back-on those times that I can really enjoy them.

Aside from failing to enjoy the present, focusing my thoughts and attention on the past or the future keeps me from being effective in the here-and-now. The more I focus on the mistakes I made yesterday or the fun I’ll have tomorrow, the less effective I am in making decisions and living excellently today. All too often, I don’t make the present time my priority and, so, I don’t give all my effort into what God is doing in my life right now. Today. This minute.

2000+ years ago, Joseph (of the coat of many colors) was sold into slavery. Later he was thrown into prison. Although we know that he was eventually set free and became one of the most powerful men in history, we also see that this man experienced intensely harsh times. All the while that he was in slavery or in prison, he could have looked forward to future times – when he could be wealthy and powerful, or to the past – when he was favored and free. Instead, Joseph focused on where he was at and, as a result, became excellent in everything he put his hand to (Genesis 39:20-23). He didn’t worry about his future or clutch onto his past; his priority was in the present and in what God was doing at that time. Consequently, he was faithful to all the responsibilities God had given him and his efforts were well rewarded.

Being faithful is about where you are now, not about when you get somewhere else.
-Todd Arnett

It is now 2 o'clock in the morning.

Note to self (for when I am fully awake) (aka, my “In Conclusion”): Where you are, be there. Be diligent as God unfolds His story and His plan to you. Live in the present. You can’t get to the future, without living the present – make each moment a priority and take every opportunity for His purposes. Live dutifully and responsibly now. Now Live It!