The Present

I have thought before how I think it is ridiculous that we want to live always knowing the future. God made me aware that my dissatisfaction is not because of not knowing the future, but my dissatisfaction is because of unbelief and not knowing him fully. 

Think about this for a moment. Why do we live always wanting to know the future? Why are we always so anxious about the next thing in life? Why are our lives so wrapped up in knowing where we will be in the next five, ten, twenty years? Why do we reduce life to stages of accomplishments? We go from one thing to the next, neglecting we have been enslaved by our own crafts. Think about it for a moment, especially for those in well-to-do places in the world. Our lives are planned towards achievements...school, work, marriage, house, children. When one of these is absent, we begin to think less of the life that God has given us.

If the future was mapped out for us step by step, we would still be discouraged and say God, “why me?” We would say, “God, why don’t I get to do what I want to do?” A lot of times we think if we just knew the future, if we just knew what would happen tomorrow, what will happen next week, next month, and next year then our hearts will have joy. 

We have actually reduced life to stages of events instead of living in the adventure God has created. Our lives are wonderful stories we are writing with decisions and reaction to the world around us. But we live always looking forward for the next thing and not realizing God's presence is the present (or the gift). We are given the opportunity to know God’s presence each and every moment of the day, week, month, and year. We are provided the pleasure of watching him unfold and reveal each step of the way one at a time. 

We have more joy in his revelation more than we do whatever blessing he moves us into and from because in that way, we worship him instead of praising whatever thing he has given us. 

School, work, marriage, house, and children are all good things but joy in life does not dwell in moving from one to the next. It is God with us, Emmanuel, through all of it. We have joy knowing our study in school has purpose for our society. We have joy knowing our work has meaning for the world and provision for our family. We have joy living together with children and family knowing God has given them to us.

Today, I want to know him each moment. I want to know that his presence is the present. I trust his leading and know that the future is bright because the Son guides me. Let us let go of our unbelief and trust his presence this day, and one day at a time. Let us slow down in life and consider how God is revealing himself. Let us enjoy him.

K.D.