Tuesday, October 26
I am come that they might have life, and that they might have it more abundantly.
—John 10:10b
We get lots of clues that God calls us to live now, fully, intensely, in the present. Only by experiencing all there is of today can we make the most of life.
Sometimes we find ourselves living in the past, avoiding the challenges of the here-and-now. Where our mind is, that is where we live. If we live mainly in things that have already happened, or long for things “to be the way they were,” we will miss the fullness of God in the present.
If, on the other hand, we are constantly anticipating what is coming up next, what the future holds, we may also be in danger of missing the present.
Our ability to plan for or anticipate the future only goes so far; much of what will happen is out of our control. We can learn about God if we study the past. God will be in the future when we get there. But God is fully at hand only in the present.
God seeks to embrace us now and pour his gifts of healing love into our soul and spirit. He yearns to nurture us—in the present. If our life is focused on what we see and experience around us, we will be fed most fully by him.
Right here, right now, He stands ready to guide and strengthen us in our relationships, our work, and our ability to give and receive love.
Gracious God, help us to live intensely in the present, and to live in it fully. Amen.
These Signposts originally appeared on explorefaith in 2006.
