Live Today

Scripture:

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

Matthew 6 (NIV)

12: Not that I have already obtained all this, or have already arrived at my goal, but I press on to take hold of that for which Christ Jesus took hold of me.

13: Brothers and sisters, I do not consider myself yet to have taken hold of it. But one thing I do: forgetting what is behind and straining toward what is ahead,

14: I press on toward the goal to win the prize for which God has called me heavenward in Christ Jesus.

Philippians 3 (NIV)

It is important to be present – in the moment, right now, today. That provides the best opportunity for peace, the best chance for joy, and the best way to find contentment.  Be present. Be content. Be grateful.

Too often when people look back, it is with regret. Don’t do that to yourself! You can’t change what’s already done, so don’t waste the experience by coloring it with regret. If it was a good day, thank God for it. If it was a bad day, thank God for it. Seek to learn from it, grow from it, and keep it moving.

On the other hand, people too often look forward with anxiety, worried about what might happen, what could be said, what has to be faced. Don’t do that to yourself! No matter what is coming tomorrow, worrying about it won’t change it. Instead, pray about it and ask the Lord to give the insight into what should be done at the opportune time. 

At one point, the apostle Paul said that he was the chief sinner (I Timothy 1:15), yet he looked back over his life and said he regretted nothing. Another time, he knew that he was awaiting execution, saying that he was being “poured out as a drink offering”, yet he was “glad and rejoicing” with the saints (Philippians 2:17). Paul, the consummate teacher of the New Testament, lived with neither regret nor anxiety. No matter what situation he found himself in, Paul chose to live with an eye toward heaven. It is believed that Paul was in prison in Rome when he wrote Philippians. But throughout the book, he encourages believers to live, to have joy, to be thankful, to be humble, to emulate Christ, and to never give up.

So, brothers and sisters, live today. Tomorrow is not promised and yesterday is a wrap. Choose to be present – today. Appreciate every moment. Stop and smell the flowers. Appreciate the sunshine on your face and the breeze on your skin. Listen to the birds sing. Smile at a stranger. Bless someone by being kind. As you do, keep pressing toward becoming all that God created you to be. Your life is God’s gift to you, how you live it is your gift to Him. Decide – on purpose – to live your best life –today!

Prayer:

Father, thank You for being a sovereign God who is omnipotent, omniscient, and omnipresent. Help us to stop looking around and look up! You are in control of it all, and we want to honor You by trusting You to work all things together for our good. You are able, and You are faithful to do everything that You have promised. Help us to fully trust You, Your plan, Your timing, and believe that You will fulfill Your will, Your way. In Jesus’ name. Amen.

Reflection:

“I am not afraid of tomorrow, for I have seen yesterday and I love today!”

(William Allen White)