Living in the Now!

Living in the Now!

Therefore do not worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will worry about itself. Each day has enough trouble of its own. Matthew 6:34 NIV

Context:

Worry is a human thing. Asking someone not to worry is like asking him not to breathe. For some people, it is about where the next meal will come from; for others, it is about where the next paycheck will come from, and if all outstanding bills will be paid. School fees for the children, good clothes on our backs, a roof over our heads, and safety of the few possessions that we have are some of the things that occupy our hearts as we go through life. These are valid concerns and needs, but it appears, from today's extract, that how I approach the concerns makes all the difference. 

Message and Response:

Is there any one of the concerns above that I can change by worry? Is there any one of these concerns that I can wish away simply by focusing all my worry lasers on them? Can I change the outcome of any of these things on my own? If the singular answer to these questions is NO, then it begs the question: why then do I worry so much? 

Since the fall of man in the Garden of Eden, man has been deprived of the automatic help of God, and the stressless work that Adam was entitled to before sin came. Now, man has to sit down, plan and set in motion the machinery that should help him achieve his plans. There is no guarantee that any of the plans will succeed, but I must still plan. This is the bit about what God expects me to do. 

I must plan, but leave room for God to tweak it as I go along. What this means is that I cannot worry over something I have no control over, or which has not yet happened. In the day I have been given, there is no guarantee that the day will end before the owner of the life will make a demand for it. If he does, of what use is worry about tomorrow? If I will not see it, why should what it will look like occupy my heart so much that it robs me of the joy of living in the now? 

Food, clothing and shelter are valid concerns. Even Jesus, in his Sermon from where today's extract is taken, recognised these concerns as valid. However, he sets out a scale of priorities, laying out what is really important. If I have all of these things, but I do not have God, of what use will the possessions be in light of eternity? If I have God, I actually do have the most important possession of all. I live in the light of what God is doing in my life right now, sure and certain that his plans for me cannot be thwarted. 

Even if I do not like what my circumstances are at the moment, I am sure and certain that it lies in the power of God to change it, and not in the strength of my worrying or fretting. I can't be worrying about a day I have not seen yet, when I am yet to fully utilise the potential, power and possibility that have been built into the day that God has already given me. I focus on today, asking God for strength, wisdom and grace to identify his provisions for today. When today is over, I thank Him for the full experience of his power, and as I lay down to sleep, I thank Him in advance for the grace that will definitely be available, if it is his will that I see it. 

If only we all could live like that, maybe there will be less heart diseases and failures. If I could only focus on all that God has given me for the day he has placed me in, I can see the possibilities and the blessings that could come my way for that day; not tomorrow, not the next, just today. God's grace is sufficient for each day that comes, and I will only enjoy it to the full when I am able to focus on this grace, and enjoy all that is tied to that day. Whatever is ahead will come, and whatever happens has been developed and designed by God to bring out his best in me. Ultimately, each day belongs to him, not me, and he will make sure that I look back at each day and recognise that his hand has been my support. What more could I ask for? His time of favour is here.