BE PRESENT TODAY


Recently, I made a remark to my youngest son about how quickly the years were passing by.  I received a blank stare in return. I remarked again.  “And….?” my son questioned.  I tried to explain.  “And…?” he persisted. Then, it hit me, I’m old. Actually, I’m not old. But, I am twenty-nine years older than my son. I realized that he doesn’t have the same perspective on time that I have gained. I experienced what I’ve heard so many other people say, “The older you get the faster time flies.”

Whether we are young or old, whether time seems to drag on or fly by, it’s important to remember that life is fleeting. While it’s natural to desire a long healthy life, not all of us are granted the experience. All we have for sure is today—this moment. There are no guarantees for long life. So here’s an important reminder: live each day to its fullest—to the glory of God. Each day is a gift that needs to be treasured. This is the day the Lord has made; let us rejoice and be glad in it—Psalm 118:24 (NIV).

If you are like me, you’ve wasted days planning for or dreaming about the future. Some days, you’re so busy trying to get to your future that you don’t show up for today. There’s nothing wrong with planning and dreaming. You abuse the gift of life, however, when you forfeit today’s experiences trying to get to tomorrow. God wants you to be present today. He has created this day that you may know, experience and love him; that you may love and serve others. Whichever way you go about it, if you do these things, you’ll make the most of your day.

I heard someone say, “Ninety percent of life is just showing up.” I’m not sure about the percentage, but the saying rings true to me. Whether you are young or old, time is fleeting. Today, show up for life!

Comments

Post a Comment

Popular posts from this blog

The 80-20 Rule

In 1906, Italian economist Vilfredo Pareto created a mathematical formula to describe the unequal distribution of wealth in his country, observing that twenty percent of the people owned eighty percent of the wealth. The Pareto Principle, or 80/20 rule, states that 80% of the effects come from 20% of the causes.   Although this rule was first applied in Italy when Pareto was looking at the dispersal of wealth, it has since become a rule of thumb for many businesses.   It has been said that 20% of your workforce does 80% of the work, or 80% of your sales come from 20% of your clients.   I think this law comes into play in our lives as well.   Life is 20% what happens to you and 80% what you make of it. There are tons of stories about people who come out of difficult situations — gang life, in and out of jail, drug addiction, broken families, abuse – yet still seem to rise to the top.   And of course, there are many stories of those who have been given everything they would n
Read more

Control Yourself

When it comes to our life, we have nothing to say about our birth and little say about our death, but in between these two events most of the decisions are ours to be made. Are you letting life and circumstances control you, or are you controlling your own life and destiny with God’s help. Don't let life pass you by when you have the God-given ability to make things happen. I've heard it said: You can't control the length of your life, but you can control its use. You can't control your facial appearance, but you can control its expression. You can't control the weather, but you can control the moral atmosphere that surrounds you. You can't control the distance of your head above the ground, but you can control the height of the contents in your head. You can't control the other fellow's annoying faults, but you can see to it that you do not develop similar faults. Why worry about things you cannot cont
Read more

Bounce Back

As a 7th grader in junior high school, I was devastated when I was cut from the starting 8th grade football team and sent to the second team.   I felt disappointed, embarrassed and dejected.   Latter that week, I spoke with my grandfather who passed on these words of wisdom, “It’s not how far you fall, but how high you bounce back that matters.”   I took those words to heart. The Bible says in Proverbs 25:11, “Timely advice is lovely, like golden apples in a silver basket.” I valued his wise words and committed to doing my best for this second string team, instead of pouting and complaining over my sense of failure. I committed to working hard, giving my all to bounce back. It served me well as I entered high school and played on two state championship teams. I learned that day that what happens to me in life doesn’t count as much as how I react to those things.   I had a choice the day I was cut from the team—I could wallow in misery and quit the team, or I could choose to fig
Read more