Do you ever find yourself busy? Always rushing into the next moment and thinking about the next thing to do? Well, join the club. It’s a large one.
Almost everyone seems to be asking themselves – What’s next? Where do I need to be going now? What do I need to be doing now? It’s always go go go. Very rarely do people just slow down and enjoy the moment. But they should. You should.
It’s important to just take your foot off the accelerator and stop; enjoy where you are instead of rushing off to the next place. It’s important to pause for some time and just live in the moment.
The Importance of Living in the Moment
Therefore do not worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will worry about its own things. Sufficient for the day it its own trouble.
Matthew 6:34 (NKJV)
In Matthew we are told not to worry about tomorrow. Want to know something radical? Tomorrow doesn’t just mean the next day. It also means the next hour, the next minute, and the next moment.
Often rushing involves worrying. When you are rushing to get into the next moment you are filled with anxiety about what’s coming next. The Bible tells us we’re not supposed to be worried about what’s next. In fact, it emphasises the importance of living in the moment.
Now wait a minute.
When I say living in the moment I don’t mean forget tomorrow, throw caution to the wind and just do whatever you want because YOLO. Not at all.
Living in the moment means that instead of constantly looking to what is coming next, you stop and focus on what’s already in front you.
Focus on What’s in Front of You
Each and every moment you live is precious because it only happens once. Yes, there are routine tasks that you’ll do every day. But you won’t do them in the exact same way each day.
Just as the Lord blesses us with new mercy and compassion every day, (Lamentations 3:22-23) He gives us new moments as well. That is why it is important to focus on what’s in front of you; the moment before you. It’s a gift from God.
To be able to drive to work or have the strength to clean your home, is a blessing. It’s a blessing to be able to help your kids with homework or have the ability to work on an assignment.
So take time to live in that moment. Enjoy it in whatever way you can. Give it your full attention and look at what you might be getting from it.
This won’t just have a positive effect on your soul and peace of mind. But it will also help you produce good work.
Living in the Moment Helps You Produce Good Work
In Colossians Paul entreats us to do all that we are asked to “heartily as to the Lord and not to men”. (Colossians 3:23) When you do something heartily you give it your all.
It’s probably a little hard to do that if you’re just thinking of what you have to do next. But, if you let yourself live and be present in the moment, you are bound to give whatever you’re doing your full attention. Attention that will allow you to give of your best.
This will permeate into what you’re doing, whether it is working on a project or teaching or holding a meeting and help you produce something of quality.
However, living in the moment doesn’t stop at doing good work. Staying present in the moment can also help you remain at peace.
Living in the Moment Brings Peace
As Christians we are told to let God’s peace rule in our hearts. (Colossians 3:15) How do we do that? By not being anxious or worried about anything. (Philippians 4:6-7)
Anxiety and worry are masters at stealing peace. When you find yourself racing around to get things done, you will feel some kind of worry or anxiety is involved. Worry that you’ll miss a deadline. Anxiety about whether or not you’ll get to finish something.
In order to find peace you need to abandon the worry. Stop being anxious about what comes next and live in the moment you are currently in. Peace is lost when your mind is wandering. But if you focus on one thing at a time, you’ll find that peace is a lot easier to hold on to.
Don’t Forget About Tomorrow
However, it’s important to remember that living in the moment doesn’t mean that you forget about tomorrow. God does not ask us to completely disregard the future. In fact, He even speaks of desiring to give us a future. (Jeremiah 29:11) All He asks is that you don’t worry about it.
The Lord wants us to look forward to tomorrow. He wants us to live in anticipation of the good things He has in store for us. (1 Corinthians 2:9-10) God even allows us to plan for tomorrow. But we must do so with the knowledge that He is control. (Proverbs 16:9)
Our job is not to have tomorrow all figured out. Ours is to live today and enjoy the moments He has given us.
The Lord’s Got it Taken Care Of
…casting all your care upon Him, for He cares for you
1 Peter 5:7
So, if you ever feel yourself caught in the rush, remember that the Lord cares about you. He cares about your present and your future. He’s got it all figured out and taken care of. You don’t need to worry about a thing.
All He asks of you is that you come to Him. Cast your cares on Him and let Him care for you. Lay your tomorrow and your future moments in His hands. Once you’ve done that, sit back and enjoy the present. Live in the moment that God has blessed you with and He will take care of the rest.
