Today!

Today!

“Give your entire attention to what God is doing right now, and don’t get worked up about what may or may not happen tomorrow. God will help you deal with whatever hard things come up when the time comes. Matthew 6:34 MSG

The world has its race; the Word of God also talks about a race. Whether I know it or not, I am in pursuit of something. There is an end to all I see today, but why, how and what I pursue are the fundamental questions that today's extract would have us answer.

Note that God is always at work. From generations past, present and to the  generations yet to come, God's amazing hand is seen and will be seen in the fabric of daily human existence. However, much more fundamental is the understanding of my place in all that God is doing. What am I called to do? Where am I called to stand and serve? In the moment, NOW, am I where God would have me be, doing what He wants me doing and exactly how He wants me to do it?

It is easy to downplay my NOW because I think others are way ahead of me, or I could ignore what I am called to do because it is not as popular, rewarding or visible like what the other person is doing. WHAT or WHO is the measure of impact and relevance?

Can I focus on the NOW and leave the later in the hands of the One who is called 'the same, yesterday, today and forever'? Can I dare trust God that while I work in the NOW, He is taking care of the later? It is human and appropriate to plan for the future, but I must be careful that it does not take my eyes off the One who matters to the things that are temporary and ephemeral. That tomorrow that I am so worried about, what can I do to change its course?

Hard times will come; I already have the certain word of God to that effect. However, that is not the whole story; the asurance I can hold on to is that God will provide help to deal with whatever is ahead. I imagine how Abraham felt when God told him to leave the familiar and venture into the unknown future. All he had was God's assurance; and today, centuries after, men are coming into the promise of Abraham and walking away with eternal blessings. I live today, conscious of the fact that God is on the throne, reigning over the affairs of men, certain that all He brings my way will bring me to the place of his purpose and plan. His time of favour is here.