Sunday Drive - The Present

Today is a gift, that's why it's called The Present.

I love that saying...  today truly is a gift. Are you spending most of your time in the present?

The future is basically our imagination of what it might be. Nothing is set in stone, we have no idea what could be around the corner. Only God really knows.

Ecclesiastes 8:7 (NIV)
7 Since no one knows the future, who can tell someone else what is to come?

God is not limited by time, like we are. We step into each day, moment by moment, we can't step into the future, only the present. God unfolds the future before us. It's quite mind boggling at times.

Revelation 1:8 (NLT)
8 “I am the Alpha and the Omega—the beginning and the end,” says the Lord God. “I am the one who is, who always was, and who is still to come—the Almighty One.”

Realizing we only have the power to change the present and leaving the future in God's hands, gives you the freedom to live more fully in the present. 

It's hard, because our minds are used to planning ahead, which is fine to a certain point, but we can't get lost worrying about the future. God wants us to trust in Him, to be free. Allowing our minds to wander around in the future too much is keeping us in chains. We need to trust that God has our future. He is in control. He loves us with an unfailing love.

Psalms 32:10 (NLT)
10 Many sorrows come to the wicked, but unfailing love surrounds those who trust the Lord.

Plus, God has good plans for us. He is perfectly and completely good.

Jeremiah 29:11 (NLT)
11 For I know the plans I have for you,” says the Lord. “They are plans for good and not for disaster, to give you a future and a hope.

Another thing that keeps us from being in the present, is our phones.... Phones are great, but they are also a great distraction and addiction. Yes, I said it. We are addicted to our phones.

We need to put our phones down more, spend time with people. I saw this great idea of families, putting their phones in a box, "phone jail", for a couple of hours in the evening, so that they could actually interact with each other. We used to spend way more time with each other before we all had phones.

Take time to enjoy the present. It's a gift that's only for today.

Blessings,
Lori